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LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
RIVERSIDE 


ci     LOFQ    auQ 


MARTHA  MORTON 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 


A  COMEDY 

IN 

FOUR  ACTS 

BY 

MARTHA  MORTON 

in 


COPYRIGHT,  1912,  BY  MARTHA  MORTON  CONHEIM 


CAUTION, — Amateurs  and  professionals  are  hereby  warned  that  "He* 
Lord  and  Master,"  being  fully  protected  under  the  copyright  laws  of 
the  United  States,  is  subject  to  royalty,  and  any  one  presenting  the 
play  •without  the  consent  of  the  publisher  •will  be  liable  to  the  penal- 
tie*  by  law  provided.  Application  for  the  right  to  produce  "Her 
Lord  and  Master"  must  be  made  to  Samuel  French,  28-30  West  38th 
Street,  New  York  City. 

All  rights  reserved 


NEW  YORK 
SAMUEL  FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30  WEST  38TH  STREET 


LONDON 
SAMUEL  FRENCH,  LTD. 

26  SOUTHAMPTON  STREET 
STRAND 


CAST  OF  CHAEACTEKS 
(Original) 

EIGHT.    HONORABLE   THURSTAN   EALPH   CANNING 
VISCOUNT —  Mr.  Kelcey. 

LORD  NELSON  STAFFORD —  Mr.  Morton  Selten. 
MR.  "FRED"  STILLWATER —  Mr.  Charles  W.  Stoke. 
"GLEN"  MASTERS —  Mr.  Douglas  Fairbanks. 

JENNINGS —  Mr.  Percy  Brooke. 

FLASH —  Mr.  William  Elliott. 

LADY   HELENA   CANNING — Thurstan's   mother   and 
sister  to  Lord  Stafford —    Mrs.  Isabel  Waldron. 

GRANDMA  CHAZY  BUNKER —  Miss  Hattie  Russell. 
MRS.  STILLWATER —  Miss  Ida  Darling. 

KITTY —  Miss  Winona  Shannon. 

INDIANA  STILLWATER —         Miss  Effie  Shannon. 

ACT  I — On  Mr.   Stillwater's  Game  Preserves  and 
Model  Farm,  U.  S.  A. 

ACTS  II,  III  and  IV— Lord  Canning's  House,  Lon 
don,  England. 

Originally  produced  at  Detroit  Opera  House, 
Detroit,  Mich.,   September,   1902 
C.  S.  EOBINSON,  Stage  Manager. 


HER  LORD    AND  MASTER 

PROPERTY  PLOT 

ACT  I 

SCENE. — STILLWATER'S  bungalow,  Colorado,  U.  '8. 
A  combination  hunting  lodge  and  model 
farm.  Interior  of  hallway  in  house — made  of 
logs — the  logs  showing  on  the  inside — large 
pin,e  logs,  with  the  bark  on,  run  longitudinally 
about  the  walls  from  the  top  of  a  5-foot  wains 
cot,  to  the  ceiling.  The  wainscot  made  of  smaller 
logs  and  set  in  patterns  forming  panels — sim 
ilar  to  the  bamboo  work  of  the  Japanese.  A 
shelf  surmounts  the  wainscot  and  runs  around 
the  room.  Shelves  over  doors  also.  A  balcony 
runs  down  a  part  of  right  side  and  across  the 
back — this  is  supported  by  columns  of  rough 
logs.  Around  balcony  runs  balustrade  made  of 
small  rustic  logs.  Doors,  arch  and  windows  as 
per  diagram.  Furniture  made  of  rustic  work 
and  some  pieces  of  the  Minnesota  Green  Grass 
furniture.  The  entire  scene  decorated  in  Amer 
ican,  Indian  materials  and  handiwork. 

PKOPEETIES. — Down  R.  (on  scene) — Shelves  over 
wainscot — doors  and  seat;  grass,  chair  over  K.  c.; 
seat  against  wall  and  steps  up  R.  c.;  tabourette 
and  Indian  basket  down  Rv  up  R.  c. — small 
tree  in  bucket;  small  table;  arm  chair.  Up  L  c. 
— piano  and  stool;  small  tree  in  bucket;  small 
chair.  Below  door  L.  1  E. — tabourette  and  palm 
in  basket;  green  grass  table;  rustic  saw-horse 
with  three  large  logs.  Down  L. — Mantel  shelf 

3 


4  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

over  fireplace;  large  black  fire  irons;  fire  logs; 
shovel  L.,  tongs  and  poker  (hanging  on  fire 
place).  Down  L. — Large  armchair  (back  to 
audience). 

On  scene- — over  shelf  B. — Ram's  head;  over  door  B. 
deer  head;  over  mantel  L.,  large  black  bear's 
skin;  c.,  large  deer  head;  c.,  large  Indian 
plaque  down  L. 

On  shelf  down  B. — Drapery,  2  pieces  Indian  embroi 
dery,  Indian  basket,  Indian  bowl. 

On  shelf  (over  door  B.) — Two  Indian  baskets,  water- 
bottle,  two  Indian  leggins,  small  drapery. 

On  shelf  (over  seat) — drapery,  Indian  basket,  small 
pottery. 

On,  seat  B.  c. — Cushion,  mountain  lion  skin,  4  green 
pillows,  Home  Journal,  paper  covered  novel. 

Hanging  on  lower  balcony — Large  green  Indian 
drapery,  small  red-beaded  collar. 

Hanging  on  upper  balcony  (over  seat) — Yellow 
East  Indian  brocade. 

On  platform  and  steps — 2  Navaho  Indian  rugs. 
On,  column  at  angle  of  stairs — Indian  head  dress. 

On  balcony  c. — Deer  head,  with  beaded  jacket  above 
it.  2  Serapio  Indian  rugs  draped  either  side 
of  deer  head.  Red  and  black  Navaho  rug  draped 
at  extreme  L.  end  of  balcony. 

On  table  up  B.  of  arch  c. — Books,  magazines,  papers, 
etc. 

In  chair  up  B,  of  arch  c.— -Cushions,  pillows. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  5 

On  piano — Up  L.  of  arch  c. — Mountain  lion  skin 
pottery  and  baskets. 

On  table  below  door  L.  2  E. — Tray,  glasses,  vase  of 
flowers. 

On  mantel  down  L. — Indian  drapery — upper  end — 
Indian,  plaques,  baskets,  embroideries,  bead 
work.  Pottery  hanging  down  from  lower  edge — • 
moccasins,  quiver,  war  club  and  arrows. 

In  arm  chair  L. — Pillow,  Indian  war  clubs,  mocca 
sins,  etc.,  hanging  from  brackets  of  torches.  3 
large  rugs  arranged  as  per  diagram.  Fur  rugs 
in  front  of  fireplace  and  seat  E.  c.  Large  Rus 
sian  seat  (rustic)  hanging  by  black  iron  chain 
over  L.  c. 

On,  seat — Green  cushion,  pillow  and  lion  skin.  2  or 
3  magazines  are  thrown  on  the  floor  under  this 
seat. 

NOTE  : — This  seat  is  hung  from  gridiron  by  ropes, 
the  chains  only  going  through  ceiling  (the  holes 
being  protected  by  2  Indian  baskets.)  2  iron  legs 
are  put  on  the  end  toward  center  of  the  stage,  16  in. 
long  and  are  hidden  from  audience  by  lion  skin. 
When  hung  the  legs  swing  free  from  the  stage,  but 
prevent  ropes  stretching  too  much  by  supporting  any 
heavy  weight. 

On  balcony,  Veranda  up  c. — 2  veranda  chairs — 
table  with  palms.  Upper  part  of  veranda  cov 
ered  with  vines.  Ground  cloth  covers  entire 
stage,  representing  plained  boards. 

SIDE  PROPERTIES.— Off  R.  Large  potato  in. 
handkerchief  (STILLWATER).  White  Rose— 
(INDIANA). 


6  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

Of  L. — 2  guns  (ladies)  INDIANA.  The  other  gun  used 
by  both  CANNING  and  STAFFORD.  Lunch  bas 
ket  with  champagne  bottle  (FLASH).  Glass 
pitcher  of  water  (KiTTY).  Dress  cloths  B.  2  E. 
B.  3  E.,  L.  2  E.  Green  curtains  at  arch  c.  Win 
dows  in  gable,  windows  B.  and  L.  of  arch  c. 

LIGHT  PLOT 

ACT  I 

AT  EISE. — House  about  one-half  up.  1st  border 
down,  white  foots  down,  white  sidelights  down. 
Amber  foots  full  up.  White  bunches  B.  1  and 
2  E. — L.  2  E.  2  amber  strips  (B.  and  L.)  and 
back  of  arch  c.,  up  full.  Amber  strip  (c.)  back 
of  veranda  rail  up  full.  Blue  strips  (c)  back  of 
veranda  rail  up  off.  Amber  calcium  on  drop — 
from  E.  Rose,  calcium  on  drop — from  L.  Lamps 
in  lanterns — ready  to  be  turned  on  from  switch 
at  back  of  B.  column  of  veranda.  Lamps  in 
torches  on  balcony — ready  to  be  turned  on  from 
switch  on  back  of  scene,  off  L.  2  E.  Fire  in  fire- 
log  L.  1  E.  As  soon  as  curtain  is  fairly  up  1st 
border  and  white  foots  and  side  tights  up  full. 

Cue — At  exit  of  LOBD  STAFFORD — 1st  border  works 
down  slowly. 

Cue — At  entrance  of  "GLEN" — Amber  foots  work 
off;  red  foots  work  on. 

Cue — At  exit  of  "LORD  CANNING" — White  foots 
and  side  lights  begin  to  work  down;  amber  cal 
cium  B.  change  to  rose;  amber  strips  work  off. 

Cue — at  exit  of  "GLEN" — White  foots  and  side  lights 
down,  to  a  glow.  Blue  calciums  B.  and  L.  worked 
on  1st  RV  then  when  full  that  on  L. 

Cue — When  calciums  are  full  blue — blue  strip  on. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  7 

Cue — Shortly  after  exit  of  "INDIANA"  "KITTY"  en 
ters — L.  2  E.  and  as  she  turns  on  switch  up  L. 
c. — torches  are  turned  and  white  foots;  side 
lights  and  1st  border  come  up  full. 

"KITTY"  goes  directly  to  column  of  veranda  up  R.  c. 
and  turns  switch  connecting  lanterns;  on  ver 
anda. 

(NOTE: — Rose    colored    lamps    in    lanterns    and 
torches.) 

Design  for  torch  and  bracket.  Torch  representing  a 
pine  knot.  Flame  shaped  globe.  Rose  colored 
lamp.  Black  iron  bracket. 

MUSIC. — Trio,  "Foxhunters'  March"  once. 
CUKTAIK— 1  shot  off  L.  3  E.   Lights  go  up. 
Entrance  of  KITTY  E.  2  E.     FLASH  c.  from  L. 

KITTY,  black  gown,  white  collar  and  cuffs,  apron 
and  cap. 

FLASH,  corduroy  suit,  basket. 


(1  shot  heard  (distant)  as  soon  as  curtain  up,  enter 
from  outside,  L.  u.  E.  to  c.  arch  FLASH,  a  typ 
ical  English  cockney  valet  carries  a  lunch  bas 
ket,  puts  it  down  c.  KITTY  enters  from  upstairs 
B.  1  E.  and  looks  over  at  FLASH.  A  pretty  pert 
young  Eastern  servant  girl) 

KITTY,  (going  to  table  up  L.)  How  d'ye,  Mr. 
Flash? 

FLASH,  (c.,  with  a  smile,  bows  and  with  effort  at 
politeness,  raises  his  hat)  Miss  Kitty —  A  fine  day's 


8  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

sport.  I've  never  seen  'is  Lordship  in  such  good 
temper  for  12  consecutive  hours  before,  and  theer 
h'  appetites,  bless  them — the  victuals  have  vanished 
and  they've  drained  the  bottles,  (takes  a  bottle  from 
basket  and  turns  it  upside  down) 

KITTY,  (arranging  flowers)  So  the  Lordships 
are  enjoying  themselves,  eh?  Well  it  was  a  lucky 
day  for  them  when  they  fell  in  with  the  Stillwaters. 
We  are  celebrated  for  being  magnificent  entertain 
ers,  (arranging  flowers  in  vase) 

FLASH,  (coming  down  c.)  It  is  a  big  thing,  as 
you  say  in  H'America — to  be  'unting  and  'unting 
for  miles  and  miles — and  still  be  'unting  on  your 
own  'unting  grounds. 

KITTY,  (with  a  toss  of  her  head)  This  wilder 
ness  is  nothing —  You  should  see  Mr.  Stillwater  in 
his  office  in  Chicago — a  king  of  railroad  magnates. 

FLASH,    (puzzled)    A  Magnate? 

KITTY.  Thafs  an  electric  power  that  attracts 
metals.  (KiTTY  arranges  drapery  on  mantel  and 
pillow  in  chair  down  L) 

FLASH.  No  wonder  he's  so  rich.  I  say — Kitty — 
'Ow  much  'is  'e  estimated  at — say — say — two  hun 
dred  thousand  pounds?  three?  five? 

KITTY,  (going  to  FLASH,  contemptuously)  Mr. 
Flash,  you  are  a  nice  young  man  but  you're  very 
inexperienced  (x'ing  B.  arranges  pillows  on  seat  and 
chair  E.)  A  man  who  knows  how  rich  he  is — is  not 
a  rich  man  in  America.  He's  only  well  off — Mr. 
Stillwater  has  reached  that  stage  where  money  is 
never  even  mentioned —  Now  the  ladies — Miss  In 
diana,  her  mother  and  grandmother — have  a  camp 
in  the  Adirondacks  much  handsomer  than  this.  A 
villa  in  Newport  and  there  is  talk  about  building 
a  stunner  in  New  York.  So  in  the  future  when 
they  say  in  America  a  man's  rich — you  will  under 
stand  he  is  not  limited  to  figures —  (Enter  MR. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  9 

STILLWATER,  a  typical  American  gentleman  of 
about  40,  hearty  and  unaffected.  He  is  in  negligee 
costume,  shows  good  breeding,  with  a  touch  of  inde 
pendent  spirit,  looks  off  L.  at  back)  (KiTTY  sees  MR. 
STILLWATER  who  enters  from  back  at  R.)  Oh  Mr. 
Stillwater.  (FLASH  stands  aghast — listening  with 
open  mouth)  He's  an  American  gentleman.  He 
is  free  and  easy  with  everyone.  (FLASH  makes  a 
movement  to  run  off)  (KiTTY  contemptuously) 
Don't  run,  he  won't  bite  you — 

MR.  STILLWATER.  (coming  down  c.)  Folks  home 
yet,  Kitty? 

KITTY.  The  hunting  party,  sir?  No  sir,  Lord 
Stafford's  valet  has  just  come  in.  (x'ing  L.  and  up 
L.  2  and  exit) 

MR.  STILLWATER.  Ah!  (looks  at  FLASH  who 
stands  bowing  and  scraping  in  contrast  to  KITTY'S 
independent  fearless  manner) 

MR.  STILLWATER.    (down  L.  sits)    What  sport? 

FLASH.  A  magnificant  day  sir, — Partridges  as 
thick  as  rabbits — sir. 

(Enter  KITTY  with  tray,  pitcher  of  water  and 
glasses.  KITTY  puts  a  big  glass  pitcher  of  ice 
water  on  table,  pours  out  a  glass  and  takes  to 
MR.  STILLWATER  who  takes  a  long  draught  as 
MRS.  STILLWATER  enters,  a  very  young  woman 
attired  in  rich  dinner  dress  R.  1  E.  up  steps. 
MRS.  S.  anticipates  her  first  speech  and  enters 
during  following  lines,  but  only  in  time  to 
reach  lower  steps  and  speak  1st  line) 

MR.  STILLWATER.  (taking  him  in)  What's  your 
name? 

FLASH.  Flash,  sir:  Lord  Nelson  Stafford's  man, 
sir. 

MR.  S.  Where  do  you  hail  from?  (FLASH  puz 
zled)  What's  your  birthplace? 


10  .      HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

FLASH.  Oh!—  Devonshire,  sir.  Devonshire — 
H'England,  sir. 

MR.  S.  Devonshire's  a  great  farming  country. 
What  do  you  think  of  my  model  farms? 

FLASH.  I'm  an  expert  on  farms  and — I've  never 
seen  its  equal  even  in  Devonshire.  (MR.  STILL  WATER 
laughs  a  hearty  gratified  laugh) 

MRS.  STILL WATEE.  (1st  speech)  Indiana  not 
home  yet? 

FLASH,  (bowing  and  scraping)  Their  Lordships 
and  the  young  lady  is  acomin'  along,  mum.  Their 
Lordships  h'are  h'admiring  the  scenery.  (  KITTY 
behind  bows  and  scrapes  in  pantomime  imitating 
FLASH  who  exits.  KITTY  follows  him  with  a  toss 
of  her  head,  and  a  look  at  MRS.  STILLWATER  who 
laughs)  (KITTY  leaves  water,  etc.,  on  table  L.) 

MRS.  S.  (on  the  stairs)  I  shouldn't  care  to  have 
that  man  in  my  employ.  He's  too  obsequious. 

MR.  S.  (laughing)  That's  English,  you  know. 
I  must  confess  he's  a  little  too  crawly  for  my  taste. 
(going  c.)  Bess,  I'll  have  something  to  show  at 
the  next  county  fair  that'll  make  the  neighboring 
farmers  look  rather  small  potatoes,  (opens  handker 
chief  and  shows  a  very  large  potato) 

MRS.  S.  (coming  to  MR.  S.  c.)  Fred,  you  are 
working  on  that  farm  as  if  your  living  depended 
on  it. 

MR.  S.  (L.  of  c.  seriously)  My  living  does  de 
pend  on  it.  I  should  have  been  under  the  ground 
now  if  I  had  not  taken  to  out-door  life.  I've  sat 
in  my  office  and  doubled  my  capital  without  turning 
a  hand — but  that's  the  pace  that  kills. 

MRS.  S.    (R.  of  c.)    Fred. 

MR.  S.  Don't  be  so  anxious,  I'm  all  right.  I 
consider  every  potato  that  costs  me  ten  dollars  to 
raise,  equivalent  to  a  doctor's  pill.  Dear  heart,  how 
sweet  you  look.  The  country  air  and  quiet  life 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  11 

haven't  done  you  any  harm  either.  Do  you  remember, 
Bess,  a  wavy  field  of  wheat  and  an  audacious  young 
lover  who  wouldn't  take  no  for  an  answer.  We  had 
some  happy  days  in  Indiana. 

MBS.  S.  (with  a  sigh)  Yes:  The  early  struggle 
Avas  hard,  and  when  our  little  baby  girl  came,  our 
Indiana,  everything  seemed  to  prosper  with  us. 
I've  tried  to  deserve  it  all.  (head  on  MR.  S.'s  shoul 
der) 

MR.  S.  (takes  her  face  between  his  hands)  "A. 
sweeter  woman  ne'er  drew  breath"  "Than  my  dear 
wife  Elizabeth."  (Jcisses  her) 

(Enter  GRANDMA  CHAZY  BUNKER  R.  1  E.  up  steps; 
a  woman  of  50  or  thereabouts,  white  hair  very 
artistically  arranged,  looks  35,  very  lively  man 
ner  and  very  youthful.  Elegantly  dressed  for 
dinner.) 

MRS.  B.  (on  steps)  Break  away,  (dryly  coming 
between  MR.  and  MRS.  S.)  Young  lovers — sober 
down.  You  have  a  daughter  in  the  matrimonial 
market. 

MR.  S.  (puts  his  arm  about  MRS.  BUNKER  and 
gives  her  a  hearty  smack,  as  he  swings  her  to  his 
left)  Eoses  and  lilies  (R.  arm  around  MR.  S.)  (L. 
arm  around  MRS.  B.)  If  I  were  not  quite  sure  you 
were  my  wife's  mother  I'd  never  guess  your  age 
within  twenty  years.  How  old  are  you  anyhow, 
Grandma  ? 

MRS.  B.  (rather  sharply,  x'ing  to  L.  c.)  Oh,  come 
off!  That's  none  of  your  business,  Fred.  While  I 
feel  young  and  look  young,  the  years  I've  lived 
don't  count,  (x'ing  to  fire  L.) 

MRS.  S.  (putting  her  arm  about  MRS.  B.)  Don't 
mind  Fred's  jokes,  mother.  (MRS.  B.  laughs  good- 
naturedly) 


12  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

MR.  S.  How  long  are  those  English  friends  of 
yours  going  to  stay? 

MRS.  B.  (L.  c.)  I'm  sure  I  don't  know.  Lord 
Stafford  is  a  devoted  sportsman  and  his  nephew, 
Lord  Canning — is  piling  in  information  about  the 
country.  Ha,  ha,  ha!  I  can't  help  guying  Lord 
Stafford.  He  looks  at  me  with  those  owl  eyes  of  his 
(closes  her  eyes  and  opens  them  again  very  slowly 
and  widely  to  imitate  LORD  STAFFORD)  and  takes 
all  my  jokes — for  solemn  earnest — 

MR.  S.     You  will  flirt,  Grandma. 

MRS.  B.  I  will,  while  there's  a  breath  left  in  my 
body,  (to  fire) 

MRS.  S.  (R.  c.  anxiously)  Grandma,  you  are  not 
thinking  of  marrying  again. 

MRS.  B.  (laughingly)  I'm  not  the  only  marriage 
able  candidate  in  the  house. 

MR.  S.  (startled)  Mother,  keep  your  match  mak 
ing  hands  off  Indiana — I  won't  have  it. 

MRS.  B.  (L.  sweetly)  Wouldn't  you  like  to  see 
Indiana,  Lady  Canning? 

MRS.  S.    No  mother,  no! 

MR.  S.  (c.)  My  girl's  a  good  little  yankee  and 
she  shan't  emigrate.  Yes,  there  are  rich  emigrants 
and  poor  emigrants  and  it's  leaving  your  own  country 
bag  and  baggage — England's  got  the  flower  of  our 
women  already.  (MRS.  S.  sits  on  seat  R.) 

MRS.  B.  You  talk  like  a  back-woodsman.  You've 
never  been  abroad. 

MR.  S.  (up  to  arch  c.)  No.  You  can  do  the 
globe  trotting  for  the  family.  Is  there  anything 
better  than  this  in  Europe?  Those  Englishmen  are 
wild  over  the  place.  Well — hit  me  between  the  eyes 
with  the  Jungfrau — but  I've  got  the  Rockies — only 
a  stone's  throw  away.  I  can  see  all  the  snow  I  want 
there.  Where  can  you  see  another  Niagara — or  a 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  13 

Yellowstone  Park — or  a  stretch  of  Balsam  Woods 
like  the  Adirondacks  or — a —  (down  R.) 

MRS.  B.  My  dear  Fred,  your  Spread-Eagle-ism 
is  wasted  on  me.  You  can  be  sure  of  one  thing — 
when  Indiana  marries  we  won't  be  consulted.  She'll 
please  herself.  Ah!  Lord  Stafford!  (greets  LORD 
STAFFORD  who  enters  c.  from  L.  a  typical  English 
man  about  60,  very  aristocratic  and  rather  stiff,  in 
hunting  costume  with  a  gun.  FLASH  enters  L.  u.  E. 
and  takes  gun  and  exits  at  once  L.  u.  E.) 

NOTE  : — This  gun  will  also  do  for  LORD  CANNING. 

LORD  STAFFORD,  (c.)  A  most  enjoyable  day's 
sport,  Mrs.  Bunker. 

MRS.  B.  (L.)  Did  you  find  the  country  interest 
ing? 

LORD  S.  Very.  Life  here  is  a  decided  novelty. 
(2  shots  off  L.  3  E.)  When  you  invited  us  to  rough 
it  with  you  in  the  backwoods,  we  did  not  expect  all 
this —  (x'ing  down,  L.  in  front  of  swing  to  fire  with 
MRS.  B.) 

MRS.  B.  I  assure  you,  Lord  Stafford,  we  consider 
this  camping  out. 

(LORD  STAFFORD  greets  MR.  and  MRS.  S.  Outside 
a  laugh  as  INDIANA,  a  girl  of  18,  in  becoming 
hunting  costume,  enters  laughing  heartily,  fol 
lowed  by  THURSTON,  LORD  CANNING,  about  40, 
L.  to  c.) 

(FLASH  enters  L.  u.  E.,  x's  to  R.  of  arch — takes  guns 
and  exits  L.  u.  E.) 

THURS.  (outside)  Bravo!  Bravo!  (ad  lib  as 
they  enter)  (L.  of  c.  up)  You've  brought -down  the 
last  bird,  Miss  »SWZwater. 

INDIANA.     Not  Stittw&ter — Still  water  (takes  out 


14  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

cartridge  shell  and  throws  it  away,  gives  gun  to 
FLASH  and  brushes  dress) 

THURS.  Stillwater.  Thank  you  very  much,  (gives- 
gun  to  FLASH)  Mr.  Stillwater,  we've  had  a  charm 
ing  day  Mrs.  Stillwater — you  daughter  has  taken 
me  in  hand.  I  am  beginning  to  acquire  the  West 
ern  burr — but  your  wonderful  idioms  I  am  afraid  I 
shall  never —  (FLASH  exits  with  guns  L.  u.  E.) 

INDIANA,  (x'ing  down  R.  c.)  (saucily)  Don't  be 
afraid.  I'm  a  good  teacher  and  you're  not  so  very 
stupid.  Now  suppose  you  saw  a  chubby  little  part 
ridge  over  there  in  the  long  grass,  and  as  a  good 
Westerner — you  intend  to  bag  him — what  would  you 


say 


THURS.  I  should  say — I'm  afraid  the  little  beg 
gar's  out  of  gun  shot — but  I'll  try — 

IND.    (R.  c.)    That's  not  American — to  be  afraid. 

THURS.    (c.)    No — you'd  guess — 

IND.  What !  /  guess,  when  there's  game  to  bring 
down? —  Never!  (raising  her  gun  and  leveling  it  at 
THUHSTON)  I'd  just  bag  him.  Afraid? 

THURS.  (meaningly)  No! —  Ready  and  eager  to 
be  sacrificed,  (looks  straight  at  her} 

MRS.  S.    (on  seat  R.)    Are  you  tired,  Indiana? 

IND.  Not  a  bit — give  me  a  kiss  Bess!  (sits  by 
MRS.  S. — kisses  her)  There,  Freddie's  jealous! 
(exit  R.  and  kisses  MR.  S.) 

MRS,  S.  She's  trying  to  get  round  you  Fred. 
Beware!  (x's  to  c.  making  a  circle  to  stairs  and 
exits  speaking  in  dumb  show  to  LORD  T.  as  she  goes 
off  R.  2  E.) 

IND.  (pulls  MR.  S.'s  head  down)  Glen's  been 
horrid  all  day.  He's  jealous,  (laughs  a  girlish 
heartless  laugh  as  MR.  S.  exits  R.  1  E.  laughing) 

MRS.  B.  (sits  on  swing  L.  c.)  What  have  you 
found  most  interesting  in  the  States,  Lord  Staf 
ford? 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  15 

LORD.  S.  (L.)    Well  I  should  say — 

MRS.  B.  (quickly)  Don't  be  afraid  to  commit 
yourself — you  hate  to  make  a  positive  assertion. 

LORD  S.  Quite  so,  Mrs.  Bunker.  I  think  more 
slowly  than  you — and  you  have  asked  me  quite  a 
difficult  question. 

IND.  (R.  who  has  been  taking  off  jacket  assisted 
by  LORD  T.  He  puts  in  on  L.  end  of  seat  R.) 
I'll  answer  it  for  you.  Lord  Stafford  (to  c.)  You 
have  come  west  ostensibly  to  shoot  things,  and  your 
nephew  for  scientific  purposes,  ostensibly,  but  you 
spend  night  after  night  over  your  brandy  and  soda 
—discussing  the  American  woman,  (c.  to  R.) 

LORD  S.  (L.  The  two  men  look  at  each  other  and 
burst  into  a  laugh)  Remarkable! 

THURS.  (c.)  (laughing  heartily)  How  did  you 
find  us  out? 

LORD  S.  Are  you  not  both  very  remarkable  wo 
men —  (INDIANA  and  MRS.  B.  look  at  each  other 
and  burst  into  laughter) 

IND.  (R.)  Lord  Stafford,  I  assure  you,  I'm  a 
very  ordinary  person! 

THURS.  (to  INDIANA)  I  dispute  that  statement, 
Miss  Btillwater. 

MRS.  B.  (on  seat  L.  c.)  You'll  find  women  like 
me  all  over  the  states — you  see — we  don't  become 
old  before  our  time — to  make  way  for  the  girls.  I 
had  a  daughter  to  rear  and  I  did  it  as  well  as  I 
knew  how — then  I  superintended  my  granddaugh 
ter's  training — now  she's  a  woman — I'm  commenc 
ing  all  over  again  on  my  own  account — ha !  ha !  ha ! 

LORD  S.     Remarkable!   Bewildering! 

THURS.  Charming — charming  I  assure  you.  (up 
c.  with  INDIANA) 

LORD  S.     Charming!    Oh  yes,  charming! 

MRS.  B.    (making  room  for  LORD  S.  on  swing, 


16  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

who  sits  L.  of  her)  How  is  it  that  a  good  catch  like 
you  has  escaped  the  matrimonial  anglers  so  long? 

LORD  S.  (pulling  his  mustache,  very  much 
amused) 

MRS.  B.  (confidentially)  Now  why  don't  you 
marry? 

LOED  S.  (with  a  gasp,  rising)  Er — er — I'm 
rather  sensitive  about  answering  such  personal 
questions — my  own  sister  never  asked  me  that — she 
asked  me  if  I  should  marry — but  never  why — never 
why — I  did  not  marry! 

MRS.  B.  (sweetly)    You'll  tell  me,  won't  you? 

LOED  S.  Ah!  By  George— I  declare — I've  never 
even  asked  myself  that  question. 

MBS.  B.  (rising)  Well!  ask  it  quick!  Start  an 
investigating  committee  and  find  out  something 
about  yourself.  You  don't  know  how  long  you  are 
going  to  live,  (x'ing  to  steps  up  B.) 

LOED  S.  Mrs.  Bunker,  one  never  knows  what 
you  are  going  to  say  next,  (goes  up  L.  of  swing  to 
c.)  Most  remarkable  woman,  your  grandmother. 
(as  he  exits  c.  to  L.) 

MRS.  B.  (on  stairs  over  rail  to  INDIANA)  Good 
hunting,  Indiana? 

IND.  (with  a  comprehensive  look  at  LOBD  STAF 
FORD)  Good  hunting,  Grandma  Chazy —  (exit  MRS. 
B.  with  a  laugh  B.  2  E.) 

IND.  (x'ing  to  table  L.,  getting  a  drink  from 
pitcher  and  glass  looking  at  him  quizzically)  You 
see  we  know  our  Kipling — are  you  going  to  put  me 
in  your  book?  Am  I  the  type  of  American  woman 
you  will  describe?  (down  to  fireplace) 

THUBS.  (to  B.  end  of  swing)  I  am  not  going  to 
put  you  in  my  book.  I  am  going — well  never  mind 
• — you  are  not  the  type — you  are  a  type — 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  17 

IND.  (with  quick  intelligence)  That's  so !  The 
States  are  too  large  for  any  one  distinctive  type  of 
woman.  But  we  all  have  that  "up  and  doing  kind 
of  spirit/'  you  call  it,  "nervous  activity."  The 
Southern  girl  is  neutrally  active — the  Eastern  girl 
aggressively  active. 

THURS.    And  the  Western  girl — 

IND.    Judge  for  yourself — 

THURS.  (with  humor,  taking  her  in)  Physically 
— a  light  weight. 

IND.  But  strong.  I  can  climb  a  tree,  vault  a  fence, 
ride  a  horse  bare-back,  straddle — or  side-saddle. 

THURS.    And  mentally? 

IND.  (x'ing  to  swing)  Flexible — I  have  an  enor 
mous  faculty  of  devouring  literature,  good,  bad  and 
indifferent —  I  love  music  and  painting. 

THURS.     Character — undeveloped  ? 

IND.  Perhaps !  But  I  have  decided  political  views. 
I  am  an  expansionist.  I  believe  in  the  imperialistic 
policy — in  annexation — in  stretching  out  and  grab 
bing  everything  I  can  get.  (gesture  to  suit  words) 

THURS.    Bravo!    You  are  the  most  interesting — 

IND.  (sitting)  (interrupting)  As  a  study — or 
as  a  woman. 

THURS.  (close  to  R.  end  of  swing  over  INDIANA) 
When  I  cease  to  study  your  imperfection  I  com 
mence  to  love  them — I — 

GLEN.  (A  young  American  about  21 — handsome, 
straightforward — a  little  rough  in  manner  but  very 
honest)  (Enter  c.  from  L.,  x's  down  back  of  swing) 
Indiana !  (holds  in  his  hand  a  dead  bird) 

IND.  (rises,  taking  it.  THURSTON  over  R.)  Oh! 
Glen — the  poor  little  thing:  It  is  quite  warm — 
how  cruel.  I'll  never  shoot  another  bird  as  long 
as  I  live,  (puts  her  cheek  down  to  dead  bird — GLEN 
takes  bird)  Oh!  we're  very  proud  of  Glen — Lord 
Canning —  He's  a  character — he  hates  cities — 


18  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

GLEN,  (c.)  I  do  sir,  but  I'm  not  out  of  the 
swim.  I  keep  myself  posted  on  the  politics  and  lit 
erature  of  the  world — I  fought  for  my  country  in 
the  Spanish-American  war  and  when  it  was  over 
I  came,  like  Cincinnatus,  back  to  the  plow.  Indiana 
— I'd  like  a  few  words  with  you  when  you  are  at  lib 
erty,  (x's  up  B.  c.  and  puts  down  bird  and  game  bag) 

THUBS.  Miss  Stillwater.  (bows  and  goes  up  slow 
ly,  looks  back  at  GLEN  with  a  comprehensive  smile, 
exits  E.  1  E.) 

IND.  (looking  after  THUBSTON  thoughtfully) 
He's  a  dear.  He  never  asks  prying  questions — and 
he's  never  in  the  way. 

GLEN,  (down  c.)  Too  slow  for  me —  I  suppose 
you  must  have  somebody  to  flirt  with. 

IND.  (half  to  herself — half  to  GLEN  L.  c.)  Per 
haps  I'm  in  earnest — this  time. 

GLEN.  Indy,  don't  talk  like  that.  While  you're 
single  I  shall  never  give  up  hope. 

IND.    (sweetly)    If s  a  waste  of  time,  Glen. 

GLEN,  (c.)  (passionately)  Why!  Indy — why! 
Do  you  know  any  handsomer  fellow  than  I?  Or 
some  one  who  could  love  you  better?  As  for  money 
— I  could  launch  you — as  fine  as  the  next  one — now 
— what's  in  the  way? 

IND.  (undecidedly)  You  haven't  the  modern  im 
provements — I  must  marry  a  man  of  the  world — 
I  want  to  live  in  the  world.  Besides  we  are  both 
undeveloped,  (x'ing  E.  c.,  taking  off  hat,  puts  it 
with  coat) 

GLEN,  (scornfully)  Modern  improvements —  I 
can  buy  a  complete  outfit  of  them  at  a  fashionable 
tailor's. 

IND.  I  don't  want  that  kind,  (takes  pillow  from 
L.  end  of  seat,  puts  it  with  others  B.  end — takes  up 
Home  Journal  and  sits  comfortably  against  pil 
lows) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  19 

GLEN.  As  for  the  other  essentials,  which  make  up 
what  you  call  a  "man  of  the  world,"  I  don't  consider 
I  am  not  a  man  until  I  have  conquered  no  end  of 
women,  and  have  their  broken  hearts  for  trophies 
like  an  Indian  with  a  string  of  scalps.  I  love  one 
woman  and  I  want  her  for  my  wife,  and  if  she 
won't  have  me — well,  I'll  not  give  up  until  I  see 
her  tied  pretty  tight  to  another  man.  (L.  end  of 
seat) 

IND.  Poor  Glen.  I  am  not  worthy  of  such  devo 
tion. 

GLEN.  I  know  you've  got  faults  enough.  But  I 
love  you  all  the  better  for  them. 

IND.  (impatiently  throws  down  paper,  rises  and 
stamping  her  foot)  Everybody  loves  my  faults — 
that's  the  trouble  with  me.  If  I  could  only  find 
a  man  who  would  hate  them — and  try  to  cure 
them,  (sits  chair  down  B.  c.) 

GLEN,  (following  her)  I  couldn't  be  harsh  with 
you  Indy — if  you  killed  me,  I'd  die  blessing  you. 
You  nearly  did  for  me  once —  (x'ing  c.) 

IND.    What— 

GLEN,  (c.)  You  were  too  young  to  know  bet 
ter. 

IND.  (fiercely)  Glen,  what  wasn't  my  fault — 
What  did  I  do?  You  shall  tell  me.  (rises) 

GLEN.     Now,  don't  get  in  a  temper — 

IND.  (quickly)  Glen,  if  you  don't  tell  me — I— 
I'll  box  your  ears — I  vow  I  will,  (movement  as  if 
to  do  so)  Oh,  I  didn't  mean  that,  but  don't  tease 
me — tell  me  please. 

GLEN,  (c.)  Do  you  see  that —  (pushing  back 
his  hair  from  his  right  temple) 

IND.     (intensely)    Yes — a  deep  white  scar. 

GLEN.  You  did  that —  (INDIANA  recoils  in  hor 
ror)  You  threw  a  pair  of  scissors  at  me  in  one  of 
your  tantrums. 


20  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

IND.    Oh!  no!  no!  no! 

GLEN.  You  were  too  young  to  realize  what  you 
had  done.  They  took  you  away  so  the  sight  of  the 
blood  shouldn't  frighten  you. 

IND.  (agitatedly)  Oh!  Glen!  Glen!  How  could 
I — and  you're  always  so  good.  You  never  even 
hated  me  for  it.  Oh  Glen,  (in  childish  grief,  pit- 
eously}  forgive  me,  forgive  me! —  (takes  his  head 
in  her  hands  and  kisses  the  scar  impulsively) 

GLEN,  (holding  her  fiercely)  Indy,  is  there  a 
chance  for  me? 

IND.  No!  (he  drops  her  and  recoils)  My  poor 
Glen,  I  hate  to  hurt  you,  but  I  want  to  be  honest 
with  you  and  myself. 

GLEN.  Try  me — let  us  be  engaged  for  a  little 
while  and  then  if  you  can't  love  me — 

IND.  Glen,  I  do  love  you,  dear,  I've  loved  you 
all  my  life. 

GLEN,  (slightly  L.  c.)  I  don't  mean  that  way, 
Indy. 

IND.  (perplexed)  I — I'm  too  young  for  any 
other  way — yet.  (up  R.  c.) 

GLEN,  (fiercely)  You're  going  to  marry  that 
Englishman  ? 

IND.  He  hasn't  asked  me.  Promise  me  that  you 
will  never  say  anything  to  him  about — the  scissors. 
(pointing  to  scar) 

GLEN,  (reproachfully)  Indy — I  never  thought  of 
it  myself — since  then — I'm  sorry  I  told  you,  if — 

IND.  I'm  glad  you  told  me — but  it  hurt  right 
here,  (points  her  hand  to  her  heart) 

GLEN.     Indy — 

IND.  Now  I'm  blue,  but  I'll  get  over  it.  To 
think — I  could  hurt  you  or  anybody  like  that — it's 
too  horrible — too  horrible!  (throws  herself  down  on 
bench  as  MRS.  B.  enters  c.  from  R.) 


21 

GLEN,  (boyishly,  throws  himself  on  swing)  It's 
all  over.  She  won't  have  me. 

MRS.  B.  (gently  over  GLEN  L.  c.)  It  would  be 
the  very  worst  thing  in  the  world  for  both  of  you. 

GLEN,  (bitterly)  I  know  you  were  always  influ 
encing  Indiana  against  me. 

MRS.  B.  You  and  Indiana  have  been  thrown  to 
gether.  You  love  her  because  you  know  her  better 
than  other  girls.  In  a  few  years  you  will  laugh  at 
your  boyish  infatuation,  (down  L.) 

IND.  Grandma,  how  can  you  be  so  unsympathetic. 
Glen  does  love  me.  He'll  never  love  anybody  else, 
will  you  Glen?  (R.  c.) 

GLEN,  (to  her)  Never!  Indiana,  say  you'll 
think  it  over.  I'll  do  anything  you  say.  I'll  go  in 
for  politics,  or  trusts  or  theatricals  or  anything  you 
want.  I'll  be  a  great  man  somehow,  if  you  only 
say  you'll  try  to  love  me.  (half  sobbing) 

IND.     I  do  love  you. 

GLEN,  (takes  her  in  his  arms)  There,  we're  en 
gaged  now. 

IND.  (giving  in)  Well  then,  between  ourselves. 
Just  for  a  trial  to  see  if  I  can  stand  you  always. 

GLEN.  I  agree  —  any  conditions  —  anything  — 
We'll  keep  it  a  secret  from  everybody — but  I  must 
tell  the  Englishman. 

IND.     Oh,  no — you  mustn't  say  a  word  to  him. 

GLEN.  All  right.  I'm  satisfied  with  anything. 
(puts  his  arm  about  her.  MRS.  B.  turns  away  dis 
gusted) 

IND.  (shrinks  away}  There,  look  at  Grandma, 
she's  angry,  (x's  L.  c.  to  MRS.  B.)  You  were  engaged 
to  three  at  one  time  when  you  were  young,  (turns 
MRS.  B.  around)  You  couldn't  make  up  your  mind 
till  Grandpa  Bunker  met  you  one  day  in  a  field  of 
wheat,  snatched  you  in  his  arms,  and  galloped  off 
to  the  minister  then  and  there. 


22  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

MRS.  B.  Indiana!  You  will  never  care  as  much 
for  Glen  as  you  do  this  minute. 

GLEN,    (who  has  x'd  to  seat  B.  sitting)  Indiana! 

IND.  (x's  to  GLEN)  Oh!  I  wish  I  could  make 
up  my  mind.  I  hate  to  see  you  unhappy,  Glen. 
(sits  L.  of  him) 

GLEN,  (triumphantly)  There!  (puts  his  arm 
around  her). 

MBS.  B.  (x's  up  c.)  Oh,  very  well.  We'll  an 
nounce  it  to-night.  I'll  have  no  secrecy. 

IND.    (with  a  gasp,  rising)    Oh  no! 

MBS.  B.    Say  good-bye  to  Glen,    (up  c.) 

IND.    (slowly)    Good-bye — 

GLEN.    Ah ! 

IND.  Grandma's  right.  I  don't  love  you.  I 
never  will.  I  don't  love  anybody.  I  shall  never 
marry.  I  hate  myself  for  making  you  suffer,  (sits 
beside  GLEN)  (rises,  x's  to  swing)  Good-bye,  (sits) 

GLEN.  (looTcs  at  her  reproachfully  and  with  a 
sob  x's  toward  her.  MBS.  B.  steps  between,  them — 
GLEN  turns  up  c.,  takes  game  bag  and  bird.  He 
meets  MBS.  STILL  WATER  up  c.  and  exits  with  her 
L.  3  E.) 

IND.  There,  now  you're  satisfied.  You've  broken 
his  heart. 

MBS.  B.  (c.)  Don't  be  theatrical  Indy.  You 
know  it's  simply  absurd  to  think  of  such  a  boy.  I 
have  better  views  for  you. 

IND.  (x's  to  chair  down  L.)  Grandma,  if  I 
thought  you  were  trying  to  make  up  something  be 
tween  me  and —  I'd  marry  Glen  offhand,  (sits)  / 
know  what  you  mean.  A  certain  Englishman  likes 
my  saucy  answers — but — as — for  anything  further — 
he  wouldn't  condescend  to — little  me. 

MBS.  B.  If  I  could  assure  you  he  was  in  earnest 
— ah,  you  do  like  him ! 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  23 

IND.  (recovering  herself,  rises)  No!  No!  He's 
too  cold — too  silent — too  wrapped  up  in  himself. 
He  would  want  to  be  the  Master — it  wouldn't  work. 
($'ing  in  front  of  MRS.  B.  to  R.  c.,  watches  MRS. 
B.  slyly) 

MRS.  B.  (up  c.  and  over  to  L.,  indifferently) 
Don't  worry.  They  are  going  away  to-morrow. 

IND.  Going  away.  And  he  never  said  a  word. 
There  you  are — what  did  I  tell  you,  going  away, 
laughing  in  his  sleeves  at  the  little  Yankee  who 
amused  him  for  a  time,  (exhibition  of  temper) 

MRS.  B.  Now  I  won't  listen  to  you.  Oh,  what 
a  temper,  (over  L.)  Indiana,  go  and  dress. 

IND.  (with  half  a  sob,  sitting  on  L.  end  of  seat  B.) 
I  won't  dress.  I  hate  dress.  I  am  tired  of  every 
thing.  Going  away — and  never  said  a  word  to  me. 
I  tell  you  what  it  is  Grandma,  I've  been  treated  like 
a  child  long  enough.  (LORD  C.  enters  R.  2  E.,  comes 
down  stairs  part  way  and  overhears  remainder  of 
speech.  MRS.  B.  tries  to  attract  INDIANA'S  atten 
tion  to  his  presence  but  fails)  Your  English  friend 
shall  see  that  I  don't  care,  (going)  A  stupid,  heart 
less,  logical  human  machine — analyzing  me  as  if  I 
were  a  frog  on  a  stick.  I  hate  him  and  the  sooner 
he  goes  the  better.  There !  (up  R.  c.  LORD  C.  has 
entered  R.  2  E.  and  heard  all) 

THURS.    (on  stairs  above  INDIANA)    Thank  you! 

IND.  (with  stifled  scream)  Oh,  the  devil!  I  mean 
Lord  Canning,  (puts  her  hands  over  her  mouth 
and  rushes  off.  Exit  R.  2  E.) 

LORD  C.  (to  c.)  Mrs.  Bunker.  I  hope  before 
the  evening's  over  I  shall  make  her  retract  those 
statements,  (enter  KITTY,  turns  up  lights) 

MRS.  B.  (L.  of  c.)  Lord  Canning,  you  have  taken 
me  into  your  confidence  and  I  shall  do  all  in  my 
power  to  help  your  cause  with  Indiana —  Not  be 
cause  of  your  title — we  are  not  title  seekers,  as  you 


24  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

have  doubtless  discovered,  but  because  I  feel  Indi 
ana's  future  will  be  safe  in  your  hands. 

LOBD  C.  Thank  you  Mrs.  Bunker,  (shakes  hands. 
Exit  MBS.  B.,  after  INDIANA)  (THURSTON  throws 
himself  on  swing.  LOBD  STA.FFOBD  enter  c.,  comes 
down  c.) 

LOBD  S.    Are  you  ready  to  leave  to-morrow? 

THUBS.  (on  swing)  No;  but  don't  let  me  keep 
you  if  you  have  other  plans. 

LOBD  S.  (x'ing  to  fire}  Don't  you  think  we  are 
rather  trespassing  upon  the  hospitality  of  these 
people  ? 

THUBS.    (leaning  lack  comfortably)    No. 

LOBD  S.  I  have  no  desire  to  lecture  but — there 
is  a  young  girl  here,  very  young  and  unformed. 
You  have  the  irreverence  of  the  American  character 
to  reckon  with — which  aspires  to  anything — every 
thing — she  may  get  it  into  her  head  that — 

THUBS.    What? 

LOBD  S.  You  have  matrimonial  intentions  which 
would  have  turned  a  pleasant  visit  into  a  very  un 
pleasant  embarrassment.  Have  I  said  too  much  ? 

THUBS.  Not  from  your  point  of  view,  but  you 
have  overlooked  the  unknown  quantity  in  your  argu 
ment — which  is  in  this  case,  the  very  unexpected — 
I  am  going  to  marry  Miss  Stillwater. 

LOBD  S.  Good  God!  (staring  at  THUBSTON  in 
horror) 

THUBS.    (quietly  watching  him) 

LOBD  S.    Your  mother. 

"  THUBS.  I  have  written  to  her,  telling  her  I  am 
coming  home  and  will  bring  her  a  daughter. 

LOBD  S.     You  have  not  consulted  her? 

THUBS.  How  could  I?  She  knows  nothing  of 
the  conditions  here  and  I  think  it  will  be  the  best 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  25 

plan  to  let  her  see  Indiana — which  will  be  more 
than  half  the  battle. 

LORD  S.  (half  offended)  You  haven't  asked  my 
advice. 

THUES.  No! —  I  am  acting  under  a  very  strong 
impulse.  This  is  the  one  thing  I  have  intensely 
desired  in  my  life — and  I  shall  gratify  it  without 
reasoning  and  calculation.  Therein  lies  the  charm 
of  the  whole  affair. 

LORD  S.  When  do  you  sail — with — your  wife? 

THURS.  (smiling)  My  wife — I  am  not  even  en 
gaged  yet. 

LORD  S.  (relieved)  Oh!  By  your  assured  man 
ner  I  thought  it  was  all  cut  and  dried.  Thurston, 
mJ  b°y>  don't  do  it.  I  feel  a  responsibility.  I 
brought  you  here.  I  promised  your  mother  to  look 
to  you.  This  is  the  unparalleled  case  of  unfitness. 
The  little  girl  is  wild,  untrained — she  calls  her 
mother,  Bess — 

THURS.    Yes,  I  know. 

LORD  S.  She  will  disrupt  our  entire  domestic 
organization.  How  can  she  live  under  the  same 
roof  with  your  mother?  Think  of  it! 

THURS.  I  am  not  going  to  think  of  it,  Uncle — 
and  I  ask  you  not  to  throw  any  unpleasant  pictures 
upon  my  mental  canvas.  I  am  going  to  accept 
whatever  comes  and  I  have  a  deep  conviction  that 
it  will  all  end  well. 

LORD  S.  (at  fire)  (contemplatively)  If  I  had 
reasoned  or — or  not  reasoned  some  15  years  ago — 
There  was  a  girl — a  girl  beneath  me  in  station — she 
loved  me.  I  thought  it  over  one  night — then  I  left 
England.  I  sometimes  think  it  would  have  been 
better  to  have  married  the  girl.  There  would  have 
been  something  at  least — this  way  there  is  nothing — 

THURS.  (x's  to  Mm)  That's  my  case  exactly. 
I'm  getting  on.  This  idea  has  taken  my  fancy.  If 


26  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

I  do  not  accomplish  it  I  shall  go  on  like  you — and 
there  will  be  nothing  in  it — until  the  end  of  the 
chapter,  (x's  c.) 

LOED  C.  I  shall  not  sail  with  you  and  your  wife. 
I  shall  plunge  a  little  deeper  into  the  primeval  for 
ests  of  America  and  shall  consider  myself  an  exile 
from  my  native  land  until  I  am  assured  that  the 
domestic  rumblings  have  subsided,  (starts  off  c.) 

THUBS.   (laughs)    Domestic  rumblings. 

LORD  S.  (goes  to  door  L.,  stops)  There  is  an 
other  alarming  possibility.  This  matrimonial  con 
nection  will  leave  me  at  the  mercies  of  Grandma 
Chazy —  (exit  c.  to  R.) 

THUES.  (laughs  and  x's  to  front  of  seat,  enter 
MES.  STILLWATER,  c.  from  L.) 

MRS.  S.  (c.)  I'm  so  sorry — so  very  sorry  for 
Glen. 

THURS.  Our  young  Romeo  seemed  depressed  to 
day.  Luck's  against  him  I'm  afraid. 

MRS.  S.  (sighs)  Glen  has  always  been  like  a 
son  to  me  and  I  hoped  it  would  be  some  day. 
(sighs) 

THURS.  He's  a  fine  fellow,  but  pardon  me,  he's 
not  the  right  husband  for  your  daughter. 

MRS.  S.  He  understands  her  better  than  a  stran 
ger,  he'd  get  along  with  her  I'm  sure,  (x's  to  seat 

R.) 

THURS.    Is  it  so  difficult  to  get  along  with  her? 

MRS.  (quickly)  Oh,  I  didn't  mean  that — there's 
nobody  more  lovable  and  easy  if  she's  studied — 
(turns  to  him) 

THURS.  (quietly)  What  do  you  think  of  me  as 
a  husband  for  your  daughter? 

MRS.  S.  (with  a  gasp — sits)  Lord  Canning, 
you  are  not  in  earnest? 

THURS.     Why  not?     I  should  like  to  take  my 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  27 

place  in  the  matrimonial  competition  if  you've  no 
objection,  (sits  beside  her) 

MRS.  S.  What  objection  can  I  have  to  a  man 
like  you?  But  I'm  not  the  one  to  be  consulted. 
Whatever  Indy  decides  I  must  be  satisfied  with. 
Oh  dear!  dear! 

THUES.  (rises,  x's  to  c.)  Mrs.  Stillwater,  the 
idea  is  evidently  very  disagreeable  to  you? 

MRS.  S.  Oh  no !  Not  at  all,  but  Indy's  so  young 
and  you  live  so  far  away — and  she's  so  unfit  to  be 
alone — but  don't  consider  me — I  have  nothing  what 
ever  to  say.  (enter  MR.  STILLWATER  R.  1  E.,  she 
goes  to  him  quietly  and  quickly}  Father!  Father! 
(in  a  half  whisper)  Lord  Canning  wants  to  marry 
Indy —  (MR.  STILLWATER  is  in  evening  dress) 

MR.  S.  (composedly)  Does  he?  Too  bad — too 
bad— 

MRS.  S.    (x's  to  steps)    (about  to  exit) 

THURS.  (x's  to  her)  Why  not  stay  and  help  me 
out? 

MRS.  S.  (agitatedly)  Oh,  I  really  must  go — 
Indy's  waiting  for  me.  I  never  let  anyone  do  any 
thing  for  her — I  always  do  everything  myself — she 
get's  cross  if  I  don't — and  I  love  to  do  it. 

THURS.  (quietly)  You  do  not  approve  of  me, 
Mrs.  Stillwater.  (MR.  S.  sits  on  seat  E.) 

MRS.  S.  (tremulously)  I  do — I  like  you  very 
much — you're  such  a  nice,  modest  man  for  your 
position — will  you — will  you  wait  awhile  and  think 
it  over  before  you  ask  Indy? 

THURS.  (in  clear  decided  tones)  I  have  thought 
it  over  well.  I  know  this  is  rather  unusual  but  for 
the  life  of  me  I  couldn't  ask  a  young  woman  to 
marry  me  until  I  was  quite  sure  I  would  be  accept 
able  to  her  parents. 

MRS.  S.     (quickly)     You  are — but  it  will  be  a 


28  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

great  trial  to  lose  her — that's  what  I  was  thinking 
of — only  that,  (exits  B.  2  E.) 

MB.  S.  (on  seat)  Mother  is  naturally  upset  when 
she  thinks  of  our  little  girl  getting  married.  Marry 
ing  young  runs  in  our  family — my  wife  was  sixteen 
and  Grandma  Chazy  only  fifteen  when  she  mar 
ried — there's  always  somebody  wanting  to  marry 
Indiana — but  she's  never  been  serious  about  any 
one. 

THUBS.  (up  E.  c.  smiling)  If  I  could  make  her 
serious  about  me,  would  you  object? 

MB.  S.  (dryly)  Why  should  I?  I  don't  have  to 
live  with  you. 

THUBS.  (taking  him  very  seriously)  There's  no 
possible  necessity  for  that. 

MR.  S.  (chuckles,  THUBSTON  very  grave)  I  know 
I  ought  to  feel  very  much  honored,  Lord  Canning, 
but  I  haven't  got  to  that  stage  of  Imperialism — 
although  my  mother-in-law  is — a  fiend  that  way — 
American  women  generally  are.  They're  natural 
Imperialists.  They  head  a  despotic  monarchy  at 
home — ha!  ha!  ha! 

THUBS.  Mr.  Stillwater,  I  hope  you  do  not  con 
sider  my  title  against  me.  (x'ing  to  c.) 

MB.  S.  (rising)  Oh,  not  at  all — not  at  all!  It 
might  help  you  with  Indiana.  It  would  be  a  new 
fad  for  her — you  know  we  all  have  our  fads —  Per 
sonally  I  like  you. 

THUBS.    Thank  you! 

MB.  S.  You're  welcome!  I  like  you  very  much 
— but —  (during  this  MB.  STILL WATEB  shows  a  lit 
tle  embarrassment,  as  if  he  wanted  to  convey  some 
thing  to  THUBSTON, — x's  to  him  and  puts  his  hand 
kindly  on  THUBSTOX'S  shoulder)  I  want  to  give 
you  a  quiet  piece  of  advice  and  if  you  don't  take 
it — I  want  you  to  consider  it  was  never  said — will 
you? 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  29 

THUES.    I  will  sir — 

ME.  S.     Don't  marry  my  daughter — 

THUES.     (looking  squarely  at  him)    Why? 

ME.  S.  It'll  never  pan  out — your  ways  are  not 
her  ways,  her  thoughts  and  yours  are  as  far  apart 
as  if  she  spoke  Chinese  and  you  Pennsylvania  Dutch. 

THUES.  (c.)  Mr.  Still  water,  I  am  not  easily 
frightened,  the  more  difficulties  I  encounter  the 
more  determined  I  am  to  win. 

ME.  S.  (E.  c.)  (quickly)  Now  don't  misunder 
stand  me — my  daughter's  no  worse  than  any  other 
man's  daughter — our  women  are  all  alike,  but  we 
know  how  to  get  along  with  them,  (chuckling)  I 
contrived  to  live  with  my  wife,  my  mother-in-law 
and  my  daughter.  All  different  dispositions,  with 
out  quarreling. 

THUES.  Yes,  I  have  observed  and  admired  the 
equilibrium  of  your  household.  It  may  be  very  val 
uable  to  me  to  know  how  you  manage  it.  Will  you 
let  me  into  the  secret,  Mr.  Stillwater? 

ME.  S.    He !  He !  He !  easy  enough — I  give  in — 

THUES.    You  give  in — 

ME.  S.     Every  time. 

THUES.    I  don't  believe  that  I  understand  you? 

ME.  S.  I  never  stand  out  against  them,  so  they 
can't  quarrel  with  me,  and  when  they  quarrel  be 
tween  themselves  I  agree  with  each  one  separately. 

THUES.  (x'ing  to  swing  quietly)  I'm  afraid  I 
could  not  adopt  that  method —  (sits) 

MB.  S.  (quickly)  There,  I  told  you  it  wouldn't 
do.  The  fact  is,  Lord  Canning,  we  spoil  our  chil 
dren,  we  know  it,  but  we  can't  help  it — the  boys 
are  early  enough  thrown  on  the  world,  (x's  to  c.) 
But  the  girls,  the  pretty  little  delicate  girls — how 
can  you  help  spoiling  them.  You  should  have  seen 
Indy — a  doll — you  could  have  put  her  in  a  quart 


80  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

pitcher — she'd  roll  up  her  little  sleeves  and  fight 
me  with  her  pink  fists — we'd'  roar  at  her.  As  she 
grew  up,  it  grew  with  her,  and  now  when  she  gets 
in  a  temper  we  all  scatter  till  it's  over,  and  then 
she  creeps  underneath  your  coat  like  a  little  white 
mouse,  and  loves  you  so  with  her  pretty  hands  and 
her  soft  face — what  can  a  man  do?  (to  R.  c.) 

THUKS.  (reflectively)  You  began  early  to  make 
a  rough  road  for  your  daughter's  future  husband, 
didn't  you? 

MR.  S.  Oh,  no — every  man  I  know  is  under  his 
wife's  thumb  and  is  proud  of  it. 

(Enter  INDIANA  E.  2  E.  soft  white  muslin  dress — 
the  picture  of  girlish  loveliness  and  sweetness) 

IND.      (down  c.)    Lord  Canning,  why  so  serious? 

THURS.  (laughs  embarrassed)  Oh  Miss  Still- 
water,  pardon  me — 

IND.  Suppose  you  let  me  into  this  secret  dis 
cussion,  if  it's  not  snow  and  ice  and  the  North  Pole, 
I  know  more  about  it  than  you,  Lord  Canning,  and 
if  it's  not  railroads  I  know  more  about  it  than  you, 
Pa —  (x's  to  ME.  S.,  he  kisses  her) 

MR.  S.  (dryly)  I  guess  I'll  let  you  fight  it  out 
with  Indiana,  (x's  to  door  R.  1  E.) 

IND.   Why  pop —  (STILL WATER  exits  R.  1  E.) 

THURS.  (bashfully)  We  were  discussing  many 
things — the  training  of  children — marriage,  etc. — 

IND.  (R.  c.)  (with  a  laugh)  Marriage  with  Pa — 
he's  absolutely  ignorant  on  the  subject. 

THURS.  Remarkable,  considering  he's  nineteen 
years — married. 

IND.  (contemptuously)  Oh,  that  was  only  a  boy 
and  girl  affair  in  Indiana.  In  those  days  it  was  a 
young  man — a  farm — a  wife  to  do  the  housework — 
and  they  always  lived  happily —  (x's  to  fire) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  31 

THURS.  I  wish  it  were  as  simple  a  matter  with 
you  as  with  your  mother. 

IND.  I'm  different  from  mother,  if  I  were  not — 
you  would  not — 

THURS.     What?    (x's  to  her) 

IND.  (slyly)  Oh — nothing.  Didn't  you  want  to 
say  something? 

THURS.  I  did — I  do — but  my  courage  has  left 
me,  I  feel  as  when  I  once  stood  before  an  impenetra 
ble  territory  of  snow  and  ice  leading  I  knew  not 
whither. 

IND.    I  hope  you're  not  as  cold? 

THURS.  Outwardly  perhaps,  inwardly  burning — 
I  want  to — to — er — to —  (as  if  changing  the  subject) 
You  know  the  customs  in  England — are  very  differ 
ent  from  here. 

IND.    (watching  him  slyly)    Are  they? 

THURS.  We  conceal  more  than  you —  (signifi 
cantly)  We — don't  wear  our  hearts  on  our  sleeves. 

IND.    We  do — 

THURS.  Yes,  I  was  looking  for  yours —  (INDIA 
NA  turns  away —  He  comes  closer  to  her)  Shall  I 
be  the  next  one? 

IND.    What  next  one?    (!ND.  turns  away) 

THURS.  Men  to  you  are  like  large  correspon 
dence,  which  is  read  carelessly,  "answered"  scrib 
bled  on  the  envelopes,  and  piled  away  into  pigeon 
holes — forgotten — 

IND.  (sweetly)  I  always  throw  old  letters  away, 
I  never  accumulate  rubbish,  (to  chair  L.) 

THURS.  (seriously)  (following  her)  Indiana — 
I  am  a  very  serious  man;  I  accept  life  as  worth  liv 
ing  only  with  serious  aims.  I  have  traveled  all  over 
the  world  in  the  cause  of  science,  especially  in  the 
unpeopled  vasts.  It  does  seem  inconsistent,  does 
it  not,  that  a  little  undeveloped  creature  like  you 
should  attract  me  so  strongly? 


32  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

IND.  Oh  no!  It's  not  at  all  strange — everybody 
likes  me! 

THUKS.  (smiles — then,  seriously)  Your  little 
hands  have  bowled  over  all  my  long  cherished  tra 
ditions.  You  have  taken  possession  of  me  in  a 
manner  which  terrifies  me.  I  am  miserable  away 
from  you;  you  flit  before  me  like  a  tantalizing  will- 
o'-the-wisp — my  pen  is  idle,  my  mail  lies  upon  my 
table  unanswered.  Tell  me — have  I  a  chance  with 
you?  or — let  me  put  the  ocean  between  us  for  self 
preservation. 

IND.  (x'ing  to  swing)  I  do  not  wish  you  to  think 
that  I  trifle  with  marriage,  because  I  have  refused 
several  offers,  it  is  not  waywardness  nor  frivolity, 
but  because  I  realize  my  shortcomings,  (sits  with  a 
half  saucy,  half  serious  laugh) 

THUKS.    (to  L.  of  swing)    Indiana! 

IND.  (seriously)  You  admit  in  your  feelings  for 
me  reason  has  no  place,  and  in  your  calmer  mo 
ments,  your  ideal  of  a  wife  is  something  entirely 
different  from  myself. 

THUKS.  Yes — reason  has  no  place — it  is  love — 
love  alone — 

IND.  It's  hard  to  be  truthful  about  one's  defects 
— but  I  am  very  much  spoiled — 

THUKS.  You  have  all  the  imperfections  which 
make  you  charming  to  a  lover — you  have  all  the  vir 
tues  which  make  you  divine  to  your  husband. 

IND.  (keeping  him  off)  I  must  have  my  own  way, 
even  when  I  know  I'm  wrong — I'm  fond  of  change 
— nothing  pleases  me  long.  I'm  quick  tempered, 
spiteful,  revengeful,  and  I'm  always  sorry  for  it 
afterwards,  always — 

THUKS.  I  have  watched  you  closely,  I  have  seen 
glimpses  of  splendid  feeling  and  heart  in  you,  other 
conditions  will  develop — the  good  that  is  in  you — 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  33 

IND.  Somehow  my  worst  qualities  always  come 
to  the  surface — my  people  are  afraid  of  me — 

THURS.  (taking  her  hand)  My  mother  will  help 
you,  dear —  She  is  a  type  of  perfect  English  wo 
manhood.  She  has  lived  a  retired  life  for  many 
years.  Our  house  may  be  quiet  for  you  at  first — 

IND.  Oh,  don't  worry  about  that,  I'll  make  it 
lively  enough. 

THURS.    (attempts  to  embrace  her)    Darling! 

IND.    (rising  to  c.)    Wait — I"  have  not  said  yes 

— yet. 

THURS.    (follows  her)    What  more? 

IND.  Promise  me  this,  when  I  want  to  do  incon 
sistent  things  and  have  my  own  way — when  it's  not 
good  for  me — promise  me — no  matter  how  much 
you  love  me  that  you  won't  give  in. 

THURS.  I'm  afraid  I  shall  let  you  do  anything 
you  want — 

IND.    (turning  away)    Then  I  won't  marry  you. 

THURS.  Yes  you  will,  (takes  Tier  hand,  turning 
her  back  to  him,  hands  on  her  arms} 

IND.  You  are  the  first  man  I  have  ever  taken 
seriously.  There's  something  about  you — different 
from  us — 

THURS.  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!—  What  does  it  matter, 
the  difference?  Do  you  love  me? 

IND.  No.  (THURSTON  drops  her  hands,  x's  to  L. 
c.  IND.  goes  to  R.  end  of  swing)  I'm  tired  of  the 
model  farm —  I'm  tired  of  Grandma  Chazy — I'm 
tired  of  Washington  and  New  York  and  I  want  to 
go  to  England —  (THURSTON  turns  disappointedly 
and  gradually  turns  back  during  the  following)  I — 
I  feel  sometimes  that  marriage  to  me — must  mean 
the  changing  of  every  condition — or — I  won't  make 
a  success  of  my  life — and  I  want  to  be  something 
more  than  what  I  am — something  better,  (quickly) 
And — I  wouldn't  marry  you  if  I  did  not  think  I 
could  love  you — some  day.  (down  c.) 

3 


34  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 


THUKS.  (quickly  taking  her  hand)  I  believe  in 
the  love  which  comes  after  marriage — given  a  fairly 
matched  pair,  the  man  the  stronger,  and  there's  no 
danger. 

IND.    And  you'll  promise? 

THURS.  I  promise  no  matter  how  much  I  suffer, 
I  won't  give  in — 

IND.  Good.  (THURSTON  embraces  and  kisses  her 
— she  pulls  away  saying)  Oh  Dear!  (she  arranges 
her  dress,  then  goes  to  steps  R.  2  E.,  turns  and 
speaks)  Now  let's  go  and  tell  the  folks.  Shall  we? 
(THURSTON  rushes  to  her,  kisses  her  hand  and  both 
start  to  exit  up  steps  R.) 


CURTAIN 


PROPERTY  PLOT.— Acts  II,  HI,  IV.  Same 
scene  for  all  acts.  An  old  English  Interior — 
Library  in  LORD  CANNING'S  London  House — 
dating  from  the  early  17 th  Century.  High 
wainscot  (7  feet),  paneled  in  old  oak,  above 
which  hang  old  Gobelin  tapestries.  Doors  are 
set  deeply  into  wainscot.  They  are  heavy,  mas 
sive  affairs  with  handsome  knobs  and  finger 
plates.  On  the  right  side  is  a  door  down  stage 
R.  1  E.,  a  large  mantelpiece  R.  2  E.  and  a  door 

B.   3   E. 

On  the  left  are  two  large  doors  (double  doors) 
which  swing  off  stage.  Above  doors  on  either 
side  is  a  heavy  column  (oak)  supporting  a 
large  beam  which  runs  diagonally  across  ceiling 
and  together  with  columns,  form  a  large  arch. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  35 

On  either  side  and  back  of  this  arch  across 
corners  are  two  large  bookcases  set  into  wain 
scot  with  gauzed  doors  in  front  of  property  case 
and  books.  At  back  and  parallel  to  large  arch 
a  smaller  arch,  with  heavy  carved  casing  and 
lintel — and  with  about  2  feet  of  wainscot  on 
either  side.  Through  this  arch  is  seen  a  large 
recessed  window,  with  seat  and  glass  door  win 
dows  above  it.  These  glass  doors  opening  on 
stage.  The  seat  is  raised  upon  a  platform  which 
projects  in  front  of  arch  about  2  feet.  The 
mantel  B.  2  E.  is  about  12  feet  high — with  shelf 
supported  by  heavy  columns,  5  ft.  6  in.  high 
and  above  this  an  old  portrait  set  into  upper 
mantel.  The  entire  scene  should  be  rich  and 
massive,  giving  the  impression  that  it  is  very 
old,  in  magnificent  condition  and  that  there  is 
great  wealth  in  the  family  who  own  it.  In 
coloring  it  is  a  rich  brown  oak  with  trimmings 
of  Gobelin  tapestries.  Carpet  over  entire  room, 
covering  step  at  back.  Rich  dark  red  curtains  at 
arch  same  color  as  carpet.  Furniture  of  old  oak 
covered  with  Flemish  tapestry.  Backs  of  furni 
ture  and  seats  upholstered — only  arms  and  legs 
showing  in  wood,  and  those  splendidly  carved. 
Large  library  table  in  center  of  room,  should 
be  very  handsomely  carved  and  massive.  Fur 
niture  arranged  as  per  diagram  —  consists  of: 
Large  table  c.;  arm  chair  B.  of  table;  small 
chair  L.  of  table;  large  sofa  down  E.  c.  (seat  3) 
small  sofa  up  B.  c.  (seat  2) ;  arm  chair  up  B. 
or  arch  c.;  small  chair  up  L.  of  arch  c.;  small 
chair  above  door  L.  1  E. 

On  table  c. — Writing  pad,  inkstand  and  penholder. 
Paper  rack  with  writing  materials.  Book  rack 
with  books,  1  large  open  book.  1  large  lamp 
(red}  practical. 


36  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

On  sofa  L. — Large  red  pillows. 

On  mantel. — 2  6-light  candle  sconces;  2  large 
bronzes;  large  clock  (set  at  11  o'clock);  2 
small  bronzes;  small  ornaments;  seat  in  win 
dow,  upholstered  in  red.  On.  seat  in  window  3 
pillows. 

Fur  rugs  in  front  of  fireplace  and  door  L.  1  E.  Rugs 
in  front  of  doors  H.  1  E.  and  door  R.  3  E. 

6  light  candle  sconces  with  mirrors  either  side  of 
arch  c.  and  above  door  L.  1  E. 

2  pedestals  with  large  candelabra  at  sides  of  arch 
c.  (no  candles). 

SIDE  PKOPS.— Off  L.,  2  valises,  1  hat  box,  1  golf 
bag  and  sticks,  1  traveling  rug — FLASH.  Cane 
—LADY  CANNING.  2  prayer  books,  pillow, 
shawl — FOOTMAN.  Large  silver  tray,  large  sil 
ver  teapot,  silver  creamer  and  cream,  silver 
sugar  bowl  and  sugar,  silver  sugar  tongs,  6  sil 
ver  spoons,  6  teacups,  tea  in  teapot,  large  hot 
water  urn  —  FOOTMAN.  Tray  3  cards  —  JEN 
NINGS.  Prayer  book — INDIANA. 

Tray  and  basket  of  cakes,  candle  lighter,  candle  ex 
tinguisher,  candle  stick,  lighted  candle,  Act  III 
— JENNINGS.  Cigarette  case,  matches,  Act  III — 
GLEN. 

Silver  tray,  teapot,  creamer  and  cream,  sugar  bowl 
and  sugar  (china),  Act  IV — FOOTMAN. 

Cab  bell,  cab  door  effect,  knocker,  prompter,  Act  III. 

This  is  off  stage  off  R.,  for  convenience  of  actor  not 
seen  by  audience. — 2  cigars,  LORD  S.,  Acts  II 
and  IV;  chime  for  clock,  prompter  Act  III; 
rug,  table,  chair.  Dressing  room  R.  1  E.,  for 
INDIANA,  Acts  II  and  IV. 


37 


(Scene  same  for  Acts  II,  III  and  IV.) 

LIGHT  PLOT.— At  rise,  house  half  up.  White 
foots — 1st  border — sidelights — up  full.  Lamp 
on  table  c.  ready.  Candles  in  sconces — not 
lighted.  Fire  in  grate,  R.  2  E.  Bunches  (white) 
R.  1  and  2  E.  Bunches  (white)  L.  1  E.  Amber 
calcium  on  drop  from  L. 

Cue — At  exit  of  STILL  WATERS,  amber  calcium  change 
to  rose — white  border  down  slowly. 

Cue — At  exit  of  LORD  CANNING,  "I  shall  not  give 
in,"  rose  calcium  out.  White  foots  and  side 
lights  down  slowly  to  be  %  down  at  entrance 
of  GLEN — cue. 

Cue — As  JENNINGS  lights  3  candles  at  door  L.  1  E. 
Foots  and  sides  go  up  slightly. 

Cue — As  JENNINGS  lights  lamp  c.  Foots  and  sides 
go  up  %  at  a  jump. 

Cue — As  JENNINGS  lights  6  candles  on  mantel. 
Foots  and  sides  up  gradually. 

Cue — As  JENNINGS  returns  and  lights  remainder 
of  candles  in  sconces  R.  and  L.  of  arch.  1st 
border  goes  up  full  R.  and  L.  of  c.  arch. 

Cue — Blue  calcium — comes  onf 

ACT  II 

SCENE. — LADY  CANNINGS  house  in  an  aristocratic 
quarter  of  London.  Scene,  a  library  leading 
into  THURSTON'S  apartments.  A  very  old  room 
furnished  in  old  oak,  old  silver,  old  tapestries, 
etc.  Family  portraits  (old). 


38  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

JENNINGS,  an  old  servant,  a  typical  Scotchman, 
about  very  noiselessly;  replenishes  fire.  FLASH 
in  long  traveling  ulster  and  carrying  rug  strap, 
hat  box  and  golf  sticlcs  enters  L.  1  E. 

FLASH,  (drops  traps  down  L.,  looks  around) 
Home  at  last,  (sees  JENNINGS)  How  are  you,  Jen 
nings?  (JENNINGS  L.  c.  looTcs  up)  Don't  you  know 
me? 

JEN.    Yes.  I  know  you.    (at  fire  B.) 

FLASH,  (c.)  Well,  you  might  shake  a  man  by 
the  hand  and  say,  "Welcome  home,"  after  braving 
the  terrors  of  the  deep.  How  do  I  look  ? 

JEN.     Cheekier  than  ever. 

FLASH.  (L.  c.)  I  have  acquired  that  erectness 
of  bearing  which  distinguishes  the  Sons  of  the  Re 
public — independent  air — yer  know!  Where  do  we 
lodge  ? 

JEN.  His  lordship's  apartments  have  been  pre 
pared  in  the  new  wing. 

FLASH,  (to  c.)  Oh,  the  annex.  We're  relegated 
to  the  annex.  Charming  young  person,  the  Amer 
ican  wife.  I  know  her  very  well — very  well  indeed. 

JEN.  Hold  your  tongue.  If  his  Lordship  should 
hear  that,  your  name  would  be  "bounce." 

FLASH,  (c.)  (airily)  Not  at  all — not  at  all. 
His  Lordship  has  been  quite  revolutionized.  Ameri 
ca  is  different  from  this  land  of  Caste  and  Class. 
His  Lordship  always  defers  to  my  advice  while  I 
am  deferently  observant  of  his.  A  glorious  land, 
America,  Jennings  —  the  land  of  equality  where 
every  master  is  as  much  a  gentleman  as  his  servant. 
(sits  on  table  c.)  I  shall  to-night  speak  at  the  club 
on  the  subject.  I  shall  open  the  eyes  of  other  valets 
who  are  tying  the  shoestrings  of  many  a  cad  who 
should  be  tying  theirs.  We'll  combine — we'll  make 
a  trust — we'll  Americanize  the  entire  service.  Want 
to  join  us? 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  39 

JEN.     No ! 

FLASH.  Too  much  servility  in  the  British  ser 
vice.  Too  much  bowing  and  scraping.  H'every 
man  is  equal.  Hit's  only  a  question  of  intellect — 
and  as  far  as  that  goes,  to  use  the  expressive  Amer 
icanism,  I  can  give  my  master  cards,  spades  and 
little  casino. 

LORD  STAFFORD,  (outside)  Flash,  you  rascal, 
where  are  you? 

FLASH,  (jumps  off  table,  goes  above  to  door  L.  1 
E.  bus.  Entire  manner  changing  to  the  abject  ser 
vility)  Here,  sir — I  was  just  asking  Jennings  where 
we  shall  put  our  traps,  my  Lord.  It  appears  our  old 
apalrtmente  have  been  taken  by  Lord  Thurston. 

(Enter  LORD  STAFFORD  in  traveling  costume  L.  1  E., 
gives  hat  to  FLASH  as  he  passes  behind  sofa  to  c.) 

LORD  S.    (kindly)    Ah,  Jennings! 

JEN.  (meets  LORD  S.,  c.)  Glad  to  see  you  back, 
my  lord,  (shakes  hands  with  LORD  S.) 

LORD  S.  (c.,  helped  off  with  his  coat  by  FLASH) 
And  glad  to  be  home,  Jennings.  Two  years  is  a 
long  time  to  be  away  from  England  for  an  ortho 
dox  British  subject — like  myself —  Ah!  (JEN.  takes 
coat  and  hat  and  goes  over  L.  LORD  S.  stands  with 
his  back  to  the  fire)  It's  good  to  toast  one's  self 
before  an  English  fire.  Flash  tells  me  Thurston's 
appropriated  my  old  quarters. 

JEN.  (by  table)  Yes,  my  lord,  we've  fitted  up 
the  old  rooms  very  beautifully  for  her  little  lady 
ship. 

LORD  S.    And  how  do  you  like  the  new  mistress? 

JEN.  Her  little  ladyship's  an  angel,  your  lord 
ship. 

LORD  S.     Her  little  ladyship? 

JEN.     We  call  her  that,  sir,  to  distinguish  her 


40  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

from  my  lady.  (LORD  STAFFORD  laughs — JEN 
NINGS  goes  back  of  table) 

FLASH,  (over  L.  picks  up  traps)  (meekly)  Where 
shall  I  put  your  traps,  my  lord? 

LORD  S.     Go  to  the  devil. 

FLASH.     Yes,  my  lord — but — 

LORD  S.  If  you  don't  get  out,  I'll  kick  you  out. 
If  I  had  to  think  for  myself,  I  wouldn't  be  bothered 
with  you.  Our  American  tour  has  spoiled  you — 
you  are  always  asking  questions. 

FLASH.     Shall  I — put  the  things — 

LORD  S.  Now  put  the  traps  wherever  you  damn 
please  and  take  that  ugly  mug  out  of  my  sight  for 
a  little  while.  I  am  tired  of  having  you  continually 
at  my  heels. 

FLASH.  Yes,  my  lord.  Directly  (takes  up  traps 
and  goes  humbly  toward  door  R.  3  E.) 

LORD  S.     Flash! 

FLASH,    (up  c.)    Yes,  my  lord. 

LORD  S.  You  may  take  that  waistcoat  of  mine — 
the  green  one — 

FLASH.  Thank  you  sir,  thank  you  very  much, 
sir — er — I  beg  your  pardon, — but  may  I  ask  where? 

LORD  S.  Oh,  go  to —  (hand  over  mouth — FLASH 
jumps  out,  exit  R.  3  E.) 

JEN.  (coming  down  L.  of  table  c.)  Young  whip 
per-snapper. 

JEN",  (as  LORD  S.  comes  toward  him  c.)  My  lady 
and  her  little  ladyship  have  gone  to  church.  Lord 
Thurston  is  coming  in  now,  my  lord,  (enter  THURS. 
brightly,  with  delighted  expectancy  of  mann.er) 

THURS.    Uncle  Gerald! 

LORD  S.  (c.)  Thurston,  my  boy!  (shaking  hands, 
takes  him  in  curiously)  Well — well — well — 

THURS.    Well,  examination  satisfactory? 

LORD  S.  (puzzled)  You're  changed  for  the  bet 
ter — more  vivacity — in  fact  you've  grown  younger. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  41 

THUKS.  I  was  an  old  bachelor — I  am  a  young 
married  man. 

(THUES.  and  LORD  S.  laugh  heartily.) 

LORD  S.  So  the  international  combination  has 
panned  out,  as  we  say  in  the  States? 

THUES.     Worked  like  a  charm  from  the  start. 

LORD  S.     Remarkable — and  with  your  mother? 

THUES.  (laughing)  Mother  has  completely  suc 
cumbed  to  Indiana  and  spoils  her  shockingly. 

LORD  S.  I  am  very  glad  of  that,  I'm  sure —  How 
do  you  account  for  Indiana's  good  behavior? 

THUES.    I  say,  don't  I  get  any  credit? 

LORD  S.  You,  not  a  jot.  (enter  JENNINGS  who 
points  to  window  conveying  the  idea  that  a  carriage 
has  arrived) 

THUES.  Here  they  are — here's  my  wife.  I'll  tell 
mother  you're  here,  (exits  L.  1  E.) 

LORD  S.  (stroking  his  beard  contemplatively) 
Jennings,  we're  getting  old. 

JEN.  (shaking  his  head)  Yes,  your  lordship. 
(goes  up  above  door  L.  1  E.  En,ter  LADY  CANNING 
and  footman  in  livery  with  pillow  shawl  and  prayer- 
books,  which  JENNINGS  takes  from  him.  LADY 
CANNING  i-s  a  type  of  aristocratic  woman  of  the  old 
school,  rather  old  fashioned  but  very  richly  dressed. 
LADY  C.  carries  a  cane.  Footman  goes  above  door 
L.  1  E.) 

LORD  S.  (goes  to  LADY  C.,  L.  c.)  My  dear  sister. 
(kisses  her,  unhooks  wrap  and  removing  it,  gives 
to  JENNINGS,  who  comes  down  R.  of  sofa) 

LADY  C.  Gerald,  I'm  very  glad  to  have  you  at 
home,  you  wanderer.  You  look  marvelously  well 
and  tanned  by  the  sun.  Have  you  seen  my  little 
daughter?  Where  are  you,  Indiana?  (sits  on  sofa) 


42  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

(INDIANA  speaks  outside,  then  enters.  A  changed 
person  from  Act  1.  She  is  the  personification 
of  English  maidenhood,  in  plain  English  gown. 
She  wears  a  bonnet  with  strings  and  carries  a 
prayer  book,  uses  a  decided  English  accent) 
JENNINGS  folds  shawl  and  puts  on  chair  up  L.) 

IND.  (demurely,  in  low  tones,  with  a  strong  ef 
fort  at  English  accent.  Enters  L.  1  E.,  goes  to  c.) 
Here,  Lady  Canning.  How  do  you  do  Uncle  Gerald? 
(LoRD  S.  kisses  her  proffered  cheek,  taking  her  in 
with  great  curiosity  as  she  stands  with  clasped 
hands,  very  demure  and  quiet) 

LADY  C.  And  how  do  you  find  our  sweet  child 
looking  uncle  Gerald? 

LORD  S.  By  George,  I  should  say  I  find  her  very 
much  changed. 

IND.  (c.  sweetly)  For  the  better,  dear  Uncle 
Gerald? 

LADY  C.  When  we  transplant  a  flower,  we  must 
watch  it  very  carefully  for  a  time  lest  it  wither  in 
the  process.  Indiana  is  a  most  flexible  little  person. 
She  appears  to  have  taken  root  in  our  soil  so  easily 
— she  had  not  been  here  a  week  when  she  was  per 
fectly  at  home. 

IND.  Thanks  to  your  good  advice,  my  dear  Lady 
Canning.  You  have  taken  so  much  trouble  with 
me.  (to  sofa) 

LADY  C.  To  be  frank,  Gerald,  Indiana  was  a 
most  agreeable  surprise.  When  Thurston  wrote  me 
that  he  had  selected  a  wife  in  the  wilds  of  America, 
I  fell  ill  with  fright.  I  couldn't  find  out  anything 
about  the  place,  and  the  name  suggested  horrible 
visions  of  half-breeds  and  wild  girls  who  climb  trees 
and  ride  a  horse  bare  back.  Those  banjo  playing 
and  whistling  Americans  are  my  special  abomina 
tion. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  43 

America  is  a  very  large  country,  dear  Lady 
Canning.  There  are  tree  climbers  and  bare-back 
riders  in  the  uncivilized  parts,  I  believe.  (THURS- 
TON  turns  away  to  conceal  a  laugh)  In  fact,  I  my 
self  must  have  appeared — er — strange  to  you  at 
first,  did  I  not,  dear  Lady  Canning? 

LADY  C.  Oh,  no — only  a  little  rasping  quality  of 
the  voice  which  has  since  greatly  modified. 

IND.  That  is  our  climate,  Lady  Canning.  The 
sharp  winds  have  a  tendency  to  pitch  our  voices 
in  a  high  key.  (imitates  yarikee  nasal  tone  on  high 
key) 

LADY  C.  And  your  gowns,  dear,  were  a  little  too 
modern — too  expensive  for  a  young  wife.  You 
don't  mind  my  saying  it,  Indiana. 

IND.  I  am  so  grateful  to  you.  Dear  Lady  Can 
ning  has  given  me  the  real  English  taste  in  the 
selection  of  a  gown,  (aside  to  LORD  S.  c.)  Dowdy 
isn't  it?  I  adore  Irish  poplins,  English  cheviots, 
Scotch  plaids,  and  seed  cake.  And  my  first  bonnet 
— isn't  (aside)  so  unbecoming. 

LADY  C.  Well,  dear,  as  soon  as  a  girl  is  married, 
she  wears  a  bonnet  with  strings;  that  is  always  the 
sign  of  a  matron  in  England.  You  know  there 
must  be  something  to  distinguish  the  married  from 
the  single  woman. 

IND.  Yes,  certainly,  I  approve  of  it.  Then  the*re 
can  be  no  danger  of  mistakes  being  made  by 
strangers. 

LORD  S.  (laughing)  Ha!  Ha!  As  they  say  in 
the  States,  you  have  hitched  on,  Indiana — you've 
mashed  'em  cold  all  around. 

LADY  C.  (severely)  Mashed  'em  cold!  My  dear 
brother,  what  do  you  mean  by  such  expressions? 
They  appear  to  be  very  vulgar.  Is  it  really  Ameri 
can,  Indiana? 

IND.     Not  at  all,  dear  Lady  Canning.     In  the  un- 


44  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

cultured  wastes  only  the  natives  make  use  of  such 
barbarisms. 

LADY  C.  My  darling,  go  and  lay  off  your  bon 
net  and  smooth  your  hair,  (kisses  her,  goes  to  the 
door,  makes  a  curtsey  and  exits  in,  room.  THURS- 
TON  roaring  with  laughter  after  her) 

LORD  S.     Kemarkable! 

LADY  C.  (with  a  sigh  of  content)  The  child  has 
perfect  manners ;  one  would  think  she  had  been  born 
and  bred  in  England.  I  don't  allow  her  to  call  me 
mother — it's  a  better  moral  effect  and  with  a  little 
tender  firmness  combined  with  the  dignity  that 
awes,  I  have  accomplished  wonders.  I  shudder  to 
think  what  would  have  been  the  results  if  I  had  not 
been  here.  Thurston  spoils  her  shockingly. 

LORD  S.     Ah,  does  he?    Very  unwise,  I'm  sure. 

LADY  C.  Yes.  But  it's  turned  out  very,  very 
well.  You  know  how  adverse  I  have  always  been  to 
Thurston  marrying  a  modern  woman — those  editing 
magazines  and  forming  clubs  and  racing  women — 
Ah!  (with  a  shudder)  England  is  not  what  it  was 
in  my  time. 

LORD  S.  When  Thurston  first  broke  it  to  me,  I 
was  very  doubtful  of  the  results — very — but  his 
heart  carried  him  away. 

LADY  C.  I  don't  wonder  at  it.  She's  so  bright, 
so  amusing,  so  clever,  so  lovable,  she  must  have  come 
from  very  fine  stock. 

LORD  S.  (seriously)  Very!  You  should  see 
Grandma  Chazy  Bunker.  "She  beats  the  band,"  as 
we  say  in  the  States. 

LADY  C.  (severely)  "Beats  the  Band !"  Your  ex 
pressions  make  me  shudder. 

LORD  S.  "I  guess  I  took  it  on  thick  before  I  left 
New  York." 

LADY  C.  You  might  have  brought  something 
more  creditable  all  that  way. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  45 

LORD  S.  I  have.  Helena,  I'm  going  to  let  you 
into  a  little  secret.  Indiana's  people  came  over  with 
me  from  America. 

LADY  C.    Who— 

LORD  S.  The  whole  hunch.  Her  mother, 
father,  and  grandmother,  and  as  they  say  in  the 
States,  "They're  going  to  make  Indiana's  hair  stand 
up." 

LADY  C.    Speak  English,  if  you  please. 

LORD  S.  They're  going  to  give  her  a  surprise 
party.  You  bet  your  sweet  life — 

LADY  C.  .  Do  you  mean  that  they're  going  to 
drop  down  on  that  poor  child  without  sending  her 
word?  What  an  undignified  thing  to  do.  Her 
grandmother,  too.  Why,  the  highest  respect  is  due 
to  their  age  in  the  way  of  preparation. 

LORD  S.  In  America  there's  nothing  that  gives 
so  much  pleasure  as  "springing"  things  on  a  person. 
The  surprise  party  is  no  fad  in  America — it's  a 
national  institution. 

LADY  C.  (on,  her  feet  agitated)  But  my  dear 
uncle,  think  of  the  shock  to  Indiana,  that  young 
married  thing.  It  might  he  serious. 

LORD  S.  She  won't  turn  a  hair,  as  we  say  in  the 
States — she's  a  thoroughbred.  Hi !  Hi !  Hi ! 

LADY  C.  My  dear,  I'm  very  glad  you  told  me. 
(rises)  I  must  go  and  make  some  kind  of  toilette 
to  receive  them,  and  the  housekeeper  must  be  ap 
prised. 

LORD  S.  (guyingly)  (x'ing  with  LADY  C.  to 
wards  door  R.  3  E.)  My  dear  sister,  don't  put  your 
self  out,  as  we  say  in  the  States.  Surprise  parties 
are  in  circulation,  and  are  accepted  as  "legal  tender" 
by  the  people.  They  won't  disturb  anybody  and 
possibly  they'll  bring  their  own  food.  (LADY  C. 
exit  R.  2) 

LADY  C.    Then  for  heaven's  sake,  don't  bring  that 


46  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

kind  of  currency  over  here,  because  I  want  no  sur 
prises.     But  I'll  go — I'll  go.     Poor  Indiana — most 
unheard  of  proceeding,  (exit  E.  3  E.) 
(LoED  S.  comes  down  E.  c.  in  a  fit  of  silent  laugh 
ter.) 

IND.  (puts  her  head  in  at  door  E.  1  E.,  enters — 
exits  to  L.  c.,  and  when  she  sees  LADY  C.  has  gone, 
gives  a  little  shrill  loud  cry — she  smiles  at  him — to 
THUBSTON  who  enters  B.  1  E.)  I  can  be  natural 
with  him,  can't  I?  (to  THUBSTON  c.) 

THDBS.  Why  not  be  natural  with  my  mother? 
It  pains  me  to  see  how  you  are  playing  a  part  with 
her — 

IND.  (comically  to  LOED  S.  x'ing  R.  c.  LORD  S. 
on  sofa  up  R.  c.)  The  ingratitude  of  men.  He 
asked  me  to  make  his  mother  love  me  and  to  succeed 
it  was  necessary  to  adapt  myself  to  her  ways.  If 
I  had  argued  with  her,  it  would  have  been  impossi 
ble  to  live  under  the  same  roof,  so  I  agreed  with  her 
in  everything,  consequently  I  am  the  best,  most  lov 
able  girl  in  the  world.  All  the  same  I  own  her  body 
and  soul — that's  my  method  of  subjugation.  Of 
course  he's  not  satisfied.  Nothing  I  do  pleases  him. 

THURS.    Indiana ! 

IND.  (half  mockingly)  Uncle  Gerald,  I'm  fright 
fully  good,  (down  R.  c.)  I've  never  been  so  good 
in  my  life.  I  feel  like  an  angel,  so  sweet,  so  obe 
dient,  so  ordinary.  Thurston  doesn't  appreciate  it — 
He  doesn't  love  me  as  much  as  he  did  before  we  were 
married,  (up  to  LORD  S.) 

THURS.  (seriously)  Indiana,  how  can  you  say 
that? 

IND.  I  thought  he  was  a  gentleman  of  leisure, 
and  he  works  harder  than  a  farm  hand.  He  sits  up 
half  the  night  reading  and  studying.  If  I  had 
known  he  was  such  a  great  scholar,  I  wouldn't  have 
married  him.  (punching  LORD  S.  on  shoulder) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  47 

THURS.    Indiana,  do  you  mean  that? 

IND.  (x'ing  back  of  table  c.  to  LORD  S.)  No,  seri 
ous  face.  I'm  only  joking.  Uncle  Gerald,  do  you 
think  he'll  ever  be  a  great  man?  (back  toward  LORD 
S.) 

LORD  S.    I  hope  so. 

IND.  Oh!  as  great  as  Thomas  Carlyle?  Don't 
say  yes,  because  I'll  run  away.  You  know  what 
Jane  Carlyle  said  about  the  wives  of  men  of  genius 
— they're  more  miserable  even — than — than  doctors' 
wives.  Thurston  has  symptoms.  Like  Carlyle — 
between  histories,  the  old  crank  used  to  go  in  the 
back  yard  and  sit  on  the  fence  in  his  night  shirt. 
That's  the  next  thing  I'll  get.  (leaning  on  front  edge 
of  table  c.) 

THURS.  and  LORD  S.  (burst  out  laughing.  LORD 
CANNING  L.  of  table — kisses  her — LORD  S.  R.  of  IN 
DIANA  c.) 

IND.    (in  high  spirits  x'ing  to  sofa  R.)    Now  I'll 
'  give  you  an  imitation  of  a  squirrel,    (bus.  ad  lib  of 
squirrel  sitting  on.  his  haunches  and  nibbling  at  a 
nut.    On  sofa  L.)    Do  you  remember  the  night  we 
went  on  a  moonlight  picnic  all  together,  and  Glen 
was  so  jealous — poor  Glen,  and  we  sang  round  the 
Wabash —  (chorus  of  the  Wabash) 
The  moon  shines  fair  to-night  on  the  Wabash. 
Through  the  fields  there  comes  a  scent  of  new-mown 
hay,  etc. 

(crosses  to  THURSTON  then  up  c.  back  of  table  down 
R.  c.  and  breaks  down  sobbing,  sinks  on  the  floor  in 
front  of  table  like  a  child;  head  on  THURSTON'S 
knee) 

THURS.  (with  a  quick  step  to  her,  gathers  her 
up  in,  his  arms)  My  darling,  don't  cry — you  break 


48  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

my  heart.  I  know  you're  homesick,  unhappy,  I  feel 
it —  (exit  LORD  S.  E.  3  E.) 

IND.  Nothing  of  the  kind.  There,  I  frightened 
Uncle  Gerald  away.  I'm  not  homesick.  I  mean  not 
all  the  time,  (with  a  gulp)  That  song  upset  me  and 
I  had  a  terrible  longing  just  to  get  a  look  at  Dad 
and  Mother  and  Grandma  Chazy,  and  then  pack 
them  all  home  again.  I  wish  you  wouldn't  take  me 
so  seriously.  Thurston,  don't  watch  every  quiver  of 
my  eyes  and  think  it's  a  tragedy.  Discipline  is  a 
very  good  thing  for  me — I  like  it.  But  I  wish  you 
wouldn't  believe  every  word  I  say;  it's  aggravating 
enough  when  your  mother  does  it. 

THTJRS.  (arms  about  IND.)  I'll  try  not  to,  dear, 
but  I  want  to  follow  your  thoughts — I  want  to  be 
one  with  my  wife.  It's  difficult  to — to  adjust  my 
slow  emotions  to  your  rapidly  changing  ones.  You 
force  my  sympathy  and  repel  it,  in  a  breath.  Your 
moods  change  with  the  minutes,  but  it  all  wouldn't 
matter,  if  I  were  sure  you  were  learning  to  love  me 
— to  give  only  a  little  in  return  for  my  deep  affec 
tion — that  would  set  my  heart  at  rest  and  smooth 
away  all  difficulties.  (INDIANA  suddenly  very  seri 
ous  and  silent)  Indiana. 

IND.  I — I  was  thinking  perhaps  it  was  wrong  to 
marry  you,  but  I  didn't  love  anybody  else,  and  I  will 
try — 

THURS.  Indiana,  if  you  knew  how  your  words 
stab  me! 

IND.     Now  you're  sorry  you  married  me. 

THURS.  Sorry!  I'd  give  up  my  life  sooner  than 
you.  I  try  to  control  my  love  but  I  can't  keep  it 
always  smothered,  but  I  shall  keep  my  word  when 
I  said  I  will  make  you  love  me.  (takes  her  in  his 
arms  passionately)  Indiana! 

IND.     (for  a  moment  yielding  to  his  embrace) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  49 

Thurston —  (JENNINGS  enters  L.  1  E.  with  a  grin — 
hands  cards  to  THUES.) 

THURS.  (reading  with  a  rising  inflection  until 
he  ends  with  a  shout)  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stillwater — 
Mrs.  Chazy  Bunker — Indiana,  U.  S.  A. 

IND.    (with  a  scream  of  joy  staggers  up)    Ah! 

(LORD  C.  rises,  x's  toward  door,  behind  sofa,;  MR. 
S.  enters  1st,  goes  down  L.  c.,  MRS.  B.  2d,  goes 
up  L.  c.,  embraces  LORD  C.,  MRS.  S.  goes  down  L. 
INDIANA  flings  herself  into  MR.  S/s  arms,  who 
enters  on  JENNINGS'"  heels — also  MRS.  S.  and 
MRS.  B.  MRS.  B.  throws  herself  into  THURS- 
TON'S  arms,  behind  sofa  L.  JENNINGS  makes 
comic  rush  to  get  out  L.  1  E.  and  exits.) 

MRS.  S.  (almost  dancing  in  excitement)  That'll 
do,  father.  Let  me  have  one  kiss — oh !  That'll  do 
father!  (MR.  S.  hands  INDIANA  over  to  her  mother 
and  shakes  hands  with  THURS. — all  greatly  excited) 

MRS.  S.  (L.  c.  folding  IND.  in  her  arms)  In 
diana,  my  darling,  my  pet,  my  baby,  my  Indy! 

MRS.  B.  (comes  down  c  between  sofa  and  chair 
R.  of  table)  (sparkling  with  happiness)  Time!  Pass 
her  around!  (hugs  and  kisses  IND.) 

IND.  (beside  herself  with  joy)  You  dear  old 
things  —  you  puddings.  (  arm  around  each  swing 
MRS.  B.  around.  MRS.  S.  R.  of  her  down  on  sofa  L.) 
This  is  what  I  call  a  surprise.  Now  sit  right  down,  all 
of  you.  (motions  for  MR.  S.  to  come  over  to  sofa,  be 
tween,  MRS.  B.  and  MRS.  S.,  steps  back  and  looks  at 
them)  Oh !  Oh  !  I'm  glad  to  see  you — (goes  over  and 
sits  on  MR.  S.'s  lap,  kisses  MRS.  B.,  then  MR.  S.,  then 
MRS.  S.,  talking  all  the  time)  ( THURS.  exits  quietly 
standing  for  a  moment  at  the  door  watching  INDI 
ANA'S  radiant  face  with  joy)  Tell  me  all  the  news. 


60  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

How's  everybody  at  home?  Anybody  engaged  to  be 
married?  And  any  more  society  women  come  up 
to  live  in  Stillwater  to  get  a  divorce — what  put  it 
into  your  heads  to  come — how  long  are  you  going 
to  stay,  and — and — 
MRS.  B.  Good  gracious!  One  at  a  time,  Indy. 

(All  sit  with  their  arms  about  INDIANA,  gazing  at 
her  speechless  with  happiness,  MR.  STILLWATER 
has  her  head  pressed  against  his  waistcoat  and 
is  smoothing  her  hair.  MRS.  B.  is  the  only  one 
who  is  perfectly  composed  and  self-possessed. 
The  two  women  are  very  fashionably  dressed. 
Also  Ma.  STILLWATER.) 

MRS.  S.  After  you  left  and  all  the  excitement  was 
over  I  couldn't  settle  down  again.  My  body  was 
there,  but  my  heart  and  soul  were  following  you  over 
the  water.  I — don't  know  why  we  ever  let  you  go, 
and  I  couldn't  stand  it  any  longer.  I  had  to  come. 

IXD.  (tenderly  with  a  soft  caressing  voice  slip 
ping  onto  her  knees  in  front  of  MRS.  S.)  My  dear 
mother!  My  dear  loving,  kind  mother. 

MR,  S.  (severely)  Elizabeth.  It's  done  now  and 
we  must  make  the  best  of  it. 

JENNINGS.  Would  you  like  tea  served?  (all  turn 
and  look  at  JENNINGS) 

IND.    If  you  please  Jennings — 

JEN.   Would  your  little  ladyship — 

ALL  TOGETHER,  (repeating  smilingly)  Your  little 
ladyship ! 

JEN.  Like  it  served  here —  MR.  S.  smiles,  nudges 
MRS.  S.,  then  turns  back  to  look  at  JENNINGS) 

IND.  Yes,  if  you  please,  Jennings,  (exit  JEN 
NINGS  L.  1  E.  At  exit  of  JENNINGS  MRS.  B.  x's  L. 
1  E.,  looks  after  him  and  then  up  c.  MR.  S.  moves 
over  to  L.  end  of  sofa)  Jennings  has  been  a  butler 
in  our  family  all  his  life  (c.) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  51 

MR.  S.  (L.  end  of  sofa)  H'm !  Lack  of  ambition. 
That's  the  trouble  with  this  country.  I  could  see 
it  before  I  was  two  hours  landed.  The  Britishers 
are  all  too  well  satisfied  with  themselves — life's  too 
easy — they  haven't  had  to  grow  up  with  a  new  town. 
They  ought  to  have  been  in  my  shoes  40  years  ago. 

(MRS.  B.  during  this  is  walking  about,  talcing  in  the 
room  with  her  nose  in  the  air,  and  a  contemptu 
ous  toss  of  her  head) 

IND.  (with  an  important  air,  sits  between  MR. 
and  MRS.  S.  on  sofa.  MRS.  B.  comes  down  c.) 
Father!  Mother!  Grandmother.  I've  married  into 
a  great  family.  None  of  your  new  nobility.  We 
are  one  of  the  few  families  left  in  England  which 
has  never  married  out  of  its  sphere — except  in  my 
case — and  I  shall  assimilate,  not  diverge.  None  of 
your  new  ideas  here.  All  innovations  are  shunned 
as  modern  depravity  by  Helena,  Lady  Canning,  my 
respected  mother-in-law.  Look  about  you.  (rises, 
goes  c.  All  turn  where  they  are,  look  up  stage,  back 
to  audience,  MR.  S.  and  MRS.  S.  having  risen)  The 
air  you  breathe  has  been  respired  by  centuries  of 
ancestors. 

MRS.  B.  (shivering — and  turning  to  audience) 
Oh!  Ghosts! 

MRS.  S.  (confidentially  to  MR.  S.)  It's  like  a 
musty  old  cellar — 

IND.  We  have  lived  exactly  the  same  for  the  last 
400  years. 

MR.  S.  I'll  say  4,000  when  I  get  back — nobody 
to  contradict  me — 

IND.  (with  a  toss  of  her  head  calling  MR.  S.  to 
her  c.)  There's  nothing  better  than  we — nothing 
from  an  ancestral  point  of  view.  You  can  tell 
them  that,  papa  dear.  (English) 


62  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

MRS.  B.  (sharply)  Indiana,  drop  that  English 
accent — it's  too  affected. 

IND.  Hush!  (enter  THUES.  with  his  mother  on 
his  arm  R.  3  E.  IND.  goes  up  quietly  and  in  soft  low 
English  tones,  direct  contrast  to  before,  speaks.  MR. 
S.  goes  up  L.  c.  MRS.  S.  remains  c.  MRS.  B.  up 
L.  c.  and  over  L.  behind  sofa)  My  dear  Lady  Can 
ning,  I  have  had  such  a  de-lightful  surprise.  I 
want  you  to  know  my  mother  (introducing  MRS.  S. 
c.)  and  my  father  (MR.  STILL  WATER  c.)  (LADY 
CANNING  bowing  and  goes  up  L.  c.  Enter  LORD 
STAFFORD,  who  goes  to  group  up  c.  LORD  T.  and 
MR.  S.) 

LADY  C.  (R.  c.  in  a  charming,  low,  well  bred 
tone,  put  out  her  hand)  My  dear  Mrs.  Stillwater — 
I  am  really  delighted —  (as  MRS.  S.  takes  her 
hands) 

IND.  (x'ing  over  to  L.,  takes  MRS.  B.'s  hand  and 
swings  her  around  c.)  And  this  is  my  grandmother. 

LADY  C.  (astonished)  Your  grandmother?  (enr 
ter  JENNINGS,  tray  and  calces  in  basket,  opens  doors 
and  enter  footman  with  tea  tray,  etc.) 

MRS.  B.  Yep!  It's  difficult  to  realize,  isn't  it? — 
in  the  States  it's  almost  criminal  for  a  woman  not 
to  look  at  least  10  years  younger  than  she  really  is, 
and  I  have  always  been  regarded  as  a  remarkable 
woman  for  my  age.  (servants  arrange  the  things  on 
the  table — then  take  tray  from  JENNINGS) 

LADY  C.  (talcing  in  MRS.  B.  disapprovingly)  It's 
a  matter  of  costuming  that  completes  the  deception. 
At  first  glance,  I  thought  you  were  a  young  woman, 
Mrs. — 

MRS.  B.    Bunker — 

LADY  C.  Bunker —  But  on  closer  inspection  I 
see  you  are  not.  (INDIANA  laughs  aside  at  table  L. 
ofc.) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  53 

MRS.  B.  (to  IND.)  (pointing  to  her  neck)  She 
gave  it  to  me  right  there! 

MRS.  B.  (x'ing  to  L.  c.  LORD  S.  comes  down 
back  of  sofa  L.)  Lady  Canning,  I  wouldn't  harbor 
any  old  bachelors.  ISfow  if  he  were  my  brother,  I 
wouldn't  give  him  house  room.  I'd  just  turn  him 
out  and  he'd  have  to  marry  for  a  shelter — Ha !  Ha ! 
Ha!  (MRS.  B.,  L.  c.,  LORD  S.  comes  down  back  of 
sofa.  LADY  CANNING  and  MRS.  S.  on  sofa  R.  MR. 
S.  and  THURS.  up  c.  INDIANA  at  tea  table  pouring 
tea.  Footman  standing  beside  her.  JENNINGS  stand 
ing  above  table  directing  footman) 

LORD  S.  Mrs.  Bunker —  I  don't  think  it  very 
pally  of  you  to  give  me  away  to  my  sister.  I  am 
perfectly  aware  that  I  have  here  what  you  call  in 
America — a — a — a  lead  pipe  cinch. 

(INDIANA  sits,  straining  her  ears  and  eyes  trying  to 
listen  to  what  everybody  is  saying  while  pour 
ing  out  the  tea)  (Appears  very  anxious — and 
making  mental  comparison  between  her  people 
and  the  others.  Exit  LORD  C.  and  MR.  S.  L. 

1.   E.) 

(JENNINGS  stands  anxiously  watching  footman  hand 
round  the  cups.  She  forgets  herself,  takes  the 
teapot  in  hand  and  sits  with  it  suspended  over 
the  cups.  Her  eyes  and  ears  straining  to  lis 
ten  now  to  MRS.  B.,  now  to  her  mother,  who 
are  talking  with  LADY  C.) 

LADY  C.  (sofa  R.)  And  how  do  you  find  your 
daughter  looking,  Mrs.  Still  water? 

MRS.  S.  (sofa  R.,  shakes  her  head  dolefully)  Her 
color's  not  so  high  as  it  used  to  be,  but  I  suppose 
that's  because  she's  used  to  flying  about  in  the  open 
air. 

IND.    (L.  of  table  c.)    Mother! 


64  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

MBS.  S.    (starting  up)    What  is  it,  Indiana? 

IND.  (with  a  warning  glance)  You  don't  take 
sugar,  do  you? 

MRS.  S.  No,  dear,  but  let  me  pour  it  out.  Don't 
wait  on  me. 

LADY  C.  Sit  down,  dear  Mrs.  Stillwater,  Indiana 
always  does  her  duty  as  Mistress  of  the  house,  (foot 
man  takes  cup  of  tea  to  MBS.  S.)  There's  no  doubt 
you  miss  her  very  much —  I  can  understand  that. 

MBS.  S.  I'll  tell  you  frankly.  I  was  very  much 
against  her  marrying  away  from  home.  I  begged 
her  not  to  do  it.  You've  got  to  give  in  to  Indiana 
to  get  along  with  her.  (LADY  C.  laughs  quietly — 
footman,  takes  tea  to  MBS.  B.  STAF.  takes  it  from 
tray  and  gives  to  MBS.  B.,  also  hands  cake  bracket) 

IND.    Mother ! 

MBS.  S.  (x's  B.  of  table)  Yes  dear,  (goes  over 
to  her)  (  JENNINGS  takes  tray  from  footman  and 
footman  exits  L.  1  E.) 

IND.  (aside)  Stop  that.  (MBS.  S.  looks  at  her — 
INDIANA  pouring  tea — JEN.  starts  to  take  it  L.  of 
IND.)  This  is  for  dear  Lady  Canning.  No.  I'll 
bring  it  to  her  myself,  (x's  to  LADY  C.  Sits  beside 
LADY  C.  MBS.  S.  turning  watching  her  jealously) 

MBS.  S.  (B.  of  table,  to  JENNINGS  who  is  L.  above 
table)  She  never  waited  on  me  like  that,  never. 
(putting  cup  on  table  x's  to  sofa  L.  Enter  LORD  C. 
and  MBS.  S.,  go  up  c.) 

MB.  S.  (looking  at  tapestry)  Yes — I  know  it's 
all  very  fine.  I  admire  it  right  here — because  it 
belongs  here,  but  when  our  millionaires  import  other 
people's  old  furniture  even — and  put  it  into  their 
brand  new  American  houses,  it  seems  to  me  snob 
bery — the  only  value  of  an  antique  is  when  it  re 
mains  where  it  has  grown  old. 

THUBS.  (up  c.)  I  agree  with  you  there,  Mr. 
Stillwater. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  55 

LADY  C.  (rising  as  INDIANA  takes  cup  and  gives 
it  to  JENNINGS,  to  INDIANA  gently)  My  darling 
Indiana,  if  you  will  excuse  me,  I  know  you  have 
much  to  say  to  your  people.  Now  when  will  you 
come  and  dine  with  us?  (LADY  C.  E.  c.  IND.  x's 
down  E.) 

MES.  B.  (rises  down  L.)  Oh,  we'll  run  in  any 
old  time.  (MES.  S.  rises  with  LADY  C.  and  remains 
in  front  of  sofa  L.) 

ME.  S.  (up  L.  c.)  We  won't  wait  for  invitations. 
We'll  run  over  to  breakfast  or  supper  just  as  the 
spirit  moves  us — but  anyway  we'll  take  possession 
while  we're  here.  (LOED  C.  goes  to  door  up  E.  3  E.) 

LADY  C.  (E.  c.)  Americans  must  be  very  sociable 
.people.  We  English  have  not  that  quality. 

IND.    (to  her)    Dear  Lady  Canning — 

LADY  C.  (genfly)  We'll  always  be  pleased  to  see 
you — whenever  you  care  to  come — but  we  are  not 
used  to  be  taken  unawares.  (LoED  C.  takes  her  to 
entrance.  Exit  LADY  C.  and  THURS.  IND.  beckons 
LOED  S.,  who  join  LADY  C.) 

MES.  B.  (to  c.)  Indiana  Stillwater,  you  are  mak 
ing  comparisons. 

IND.  (up  behind  sofa  R.)  Nothing  of  the  kind, 
Grandma  Chazy. 

MES.  B.  (x'ing  down  E.)  The  way  you  crawl  to 
that  old  woman  is  very  un-American,  to  say  the 
least. 

IND.  (coming  down  L.  of  her)  In  England  it's 
the  custom  to  pay  great  respect  to  old  people. 

MES.  B.    That's  a  nice  slap  in  the  face  for  us. 

IND.  Grandma,  you  don't  want  the  deference  due 
to  age,  do  you?  (ME.  S.  comes  down  R.  of  table, 
MES.  S.  down  L.) 

MES.  B.    Not  for  many,  many  years,  I  hope. 

IND.  Think  of  me  treating  ma  and  pa  like  that. 
They  wouldn't  like  it  a  bit.  (going  to  MRS.  S.  c) 


56  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

MR.  S.  (putting  arm  around  her)  No — as  long 
as  you  love  us  we  are  satisfied  to  wait  on  you. 

MRS.  S.  (L.  c.)  But  don't  let  anyone  else  take 
our  place,  (commences  to  cry) 

MES.  B.  (pushing  MES.  S.  up  L.  c.)  Here  now — 
I  didn't  come  across  that  nasty  ocean  to  pitch  my 
tent  in  Calamity  Camp.  Just  go  and  put  on  your 
things  and  come  with  us.  (takes  IXD.  E.  c.)  We're 
going  to  have  a  good  time,  if  it  ts  Sunday  night. 

IND.  I'd  love  to  go.  I  must  ask  my  husband. 
(x's  toward  door  B.  3  E.)  (all  turn,  backs  to  au 
dience  in  amazement) 

MBS.  B.  (down  R.)  Indiana  Stillwater,  I  never 
thought  you  would  turn  out  such  a  spiritless  kind 
of  woman.  Of  course  it's  none  of  my  business — 
but  if  you  start  in  this  way — what's  going  to  be 
come  of  your  individuality,  which  is  the  pride  and 
glory  of  the  American  woman? 

IND.  (up  B.  c.)  It's  not  so,  Grandma  Chazy,  I 
do  just  as  I  like.  I  allow  no  one  to  compel  me. 

MBS.  S.  (L.  c.)  You're  quite  right  to  ask  your 
husband  and  if  it's  against  his  religious  rules  you 
stay  at  home — and — and  read  the  Bible,  (shakes  her 
head  as  if  to  say,  "It's  come  to  that.") 

IND.  (up  B.  c.)  (blazing  at  them)  It's  not  so, 
I  tell  you!  (comes  down  B.  c.)  You  don't  under 
stand  the  conditions  of  life  over  here.  The  real 
thing  don't  go  anywhere  on  Sundays — if  they  must 
break  out  they  go  over  to  Paris  where  nobody  sees 
them — I  will  always  love  my  own  people,  but  I 
won't  be  blind  to  their  faults.  We  lack  noblesse 
oblige  and  repose  and  all  that  sort —  (goes  to  MBS. 
S.  c.) 

MB.  S.  (embraces  her)  That  may  be  so  Indy. 
But  if  you  keep  cultivating  a  field  of  wheat  right 
along  you  cultivate  it  until  it  doesn't  produce  any 
thing.  They're  running  to  seed  fast  and  we're  still 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  57 

bearing  strong — repose,  let  them  have  it.  Thank 
heaven  we  youngsters  are  always  on  our  feet.  (MRS. 
S.  crying  silently) 

IND.  (despairingly,  x's  to  MRS.  S.  MK.  S.  up 
L.  c.)  Mother —  Don't  cry — I'll  go — there — there! 

MRS.  S.  (brightening  up)  Darling — don't  you 
think  we  ought  to  invite  Thurston? 

IND.  I'll  ask  him,  of  course.  But  he  won't  come. 
That's  quite  out  of  the  question,  (toward  R.  c.  a 
little) 

MRS.  B.  (x's  to  L.  c.,  with  a  sigh  of  relief)  We'll 
manage  without  him.  Good-bye  dear,  good-bye.  Then 
we'll  send  for  you  this  evening.  I've  a  surprise  for 
you.  (turns  to  IND.) 

IND.  (delighted)  Ah! — don't  tell  me — it's  too 
nice  to  look  forward  to  something —  (MR.  S.  goes 
lack  of  table  and  comes  down  R.  c.) 

MRS.  B.  (looking  at  dress)  Take  off  that  dowdy 
thing  and  wear  something  becoming — 

IND.  (x'ing  to  MR.  S.,  winces — then  tossing  her 
head)  We  the  leading  people  must  encourage  home 
manufacture. 

MRS.  B.  (severely)  Nature  endowed  you  so  lav 
ishly  that  you  can't  afford  to  increase  your  waist 
to  the  width  of  your  shoulders. 

MRS.  S.    (L.  c.)    We  turned  you  out  better. 

MR.  S.  (R.  c.)  (touches  INDIANA'S  dress)  Hum 
— I  prefer  a  fine  silk  made  in  Paterson,  New  Jer 
sey,  shipped  to  Lyons  to  be  stamped,  and  re-import 
ed  as  French.  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  (enter  THURS.  R.  3 
E.  x's  to  door  L.  1  E.) 

MRS.  B.  (c.  in  a  spirit  of  raillery)  I  learnt  so 
many  new  things  in  the  way  of  dress  combinations 
coming  and  at  Liverpool — white  muslin  frocks — 
fur  capes,  woolen  stockings  and  hats — a  la  Robinson 
Crusoe —  (x's  to  L.  c. — all  laugh — INDIANA  severe) 

MB.  S.    (x's  to  IND.  at  c.,  then  goes  to  door  L.  1 


58  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

E.,  shakes  hands  with  THURSTON  and  exits  L.  1  E.) 
Indy,  dear — go  back  to  your  trousseau. 

MRS.  B.  (x's  to  IND..,  then  to  door  L.  1  E.  and  exit 
L.  1  E.)  Yes,  do  so — go  back  to  your  trousseau. 

MR.  S.  (at  door  L.)  (aside)  Thurston,  has  she 
broken  out  yet?  (THURSTON  laughingly  shakes  his 
head)  That's  good. 

(INDIANA  stands  down  with  clenched  fists  pouting 
like  a  child  who  is  being  teased.  MRS.  B.  and 
MRS.  S.  exit,  followed  ly  THURSTON  and  MR.  S. 
all  in  high  spirits  laughing)  (MR.  S.  taJces 
THURSTON'S  arm  and  they  exit  laughing  to 
gether — INDIANA  gazing  at  door  and  listening 
to  the  voices  outside  till  they  die  away)  (TmiRs. 
comes  in,  laughing  heartily,  comes  down  and  at 
the  sight  of  INDIANA'S  dismal  face,  the  smile 
dies  on  his  face.) 

IND.  (over  n.  c.)  Oh!  Go  on,  don't  mind  me, 
laugh  at  them,  ridicule  them.  Tell  me  you  don't 
want  them  to  darken  your  .doors  again.  I'm  ready 
for  any  thing. 

THURS.  Indiana!  I  was  not  laughing  that  way. 
I  find  your  people  very  witty  and  amusing — as  for 
separating  you  from  them — I  hope  we  shall  see  as 
much  of  them  as  we  possibly  can.  Grandma  Chazy 
is  a  new  creation  for  us — we  simply  revel  in  her. 
She'll  create  a  sensation  wherever  she  goes.  I 
shouldn't  at  all  wonder  if  she  doesn't  marry  well 
and  settle  down  in  England.  There  now,  the 
storm's  over,  eh?  Poor  little  thing!  You've  had  a 
shock,  I  hate  surprises  myself.  Lie  down  for  an 
hour  and  rest. 

IND.  (going  toward  door  R.  1  E.)  No!  No! 
There's  no  time.  I  have  promised  to  go  out — the 
folks  wouldn't  take  "no"  for  an  answer — and  it's 
natural  they  should  want  me  with  them,  isn't  it? 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  59 

THUKS.    (coldly — sits  L.  of  table)    Naturally. 

IND.  I  won't  ask  you  to  waste  your  night,  but 
you  can  come  for  me. 

THUBS.    Where? 

IND.  Oh,  they've  mapped  out  a  program.  Grand 
ma  Chazy  knows  what's  to  be  seen.  (B.  c.) 

THUES.  I'm  only  your  husband — it  is  true — but 
I  think  I  have  a  right  to  know  if  my  wife  will  go 
out — where  she  is  going. 

IND.  Oh,  it's  to  some  big  hotel  to  dine  where  you 
see — the  actors  and  actresses — there's  music  and 
the  whole  Push —  Oh,  I  mean  lots  of  people. 

THUES.  (L.  of  table — after  a  pause)  I  am  very 
sorry  to  disappoint  you — but  I  cannot  permit  you 
to  go.  That's  not  the  thing  for  Lady  Canning.  It 
may  be  all  right  for  a  lot  of  sight-seers — strangers — 
but  London  is  our  home.  I  do  not  wish  you  to  be 
seen  in  public  until  I  have  formally  presented  you — 
as  by  wife.  Indiana,  I  do  not  want  to  force  you  but 
to  convince  you  now — admit  that  it  would  be  very 
inconsistent. 

IND.  Yes,  but  that's  just  why  I  want  to  do  it. 
(at  door  E.  1  E.) 

THUES.  (x's  to  her — smiles)  You  child — come 
now —  (takes  IND.  around  the  waist — she  rebels) 
shut  those  sharp  little  American  eyes  and  slumber 
for  an  hour — and  dream  yourself  into  good  humor 
again,  (puts  her  on  sofa  over  L.  as  she  reaches  sofa 
she  tumbles  on  it  head  toward  c.) 

IND.  (piteously,  rising  on.  elbow)  Thurston, 
they've  got  a  surprise  for  me. 

THUES.  What  another — your  nerves  won't  stand 
any  more  surprises  to-night.  (  THUES.  gets  rug  up 
L.  and  puts  it  over  her;  as  lie  does  so  she  pulls  one 
end  down  tightly  about  her  shoulder)  Now  in  one 


60  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

hour  I  shall  come  in  on  tiptoe  and  awaken  my  sleep 
ing  beauty  with  a  kiss. 

IND.    (on  sofa,  shuts  her  eyes) 

THUBS.   Asleep  already,  or  sulking — which? 

IND.  (piteously)  Thurston — I  want  to  go.  Thurs- 
ton,  why  can't  I  go? 

THUES.  (coldly)  Because  you  yourself  have  ac 
knowledged  it  is  not  the  thing —  (tenderly)  Indi 
ana,  do  you  remember  the  day  I  asked  you  to  be  my 
wife — the  condition — upon  which  you  accepted  me. 

IND.    (innocently,  raising  herself  up)    What? 

THUES.    That — I  should  not  give  in — 

IND.     Oh !    (falls  back  on  sofa — shuts  her  eyes) 

THUES.  (seriously)  I  have  never  in  my  life 
broken  a  given  word — this  is  our  first  difference — 
I  must  keep  my  promise  to  you — I  must  not  give  in. 
(exits  quietly  E.  3  E.)  (INDIANA  with  a  half  sob 
turns  her  face  to  the  wall.  A  pause.  She  turns 
restlessly) 

IND.  (opens  her  eyes  wide,  looks  at  ceiling) 
5 — 10 — 15,  etc.,  to  100 —  (sighs,  sighs  again.  Turns 
restlessly,  repeats  to  herself)  Ana  mana  mony  my, 
passa  lona  bona  swei — hare  ware  from  wack  alike 
balicky  we  wo  why  wack.  I'm  out —  Yes  I  am  out 
— out  of  everything,  (tries  to  sleep — finds  she  can't, 
rises,  takes  pillow  and  shawl  and  turns  head  the 
opposite  direction — stretches,  etc.,  then  finds  she 
can't  and  rises)  I  can't  sleep,  (takes  pillow  and 
throws  it  out,  striking  GLEN  as  he  enters  followed 
by  JENNINGS,  who  picks  up  pillow)  Glen!  (with  a 
scream  of  delight  she  throws  herself  into  his  arms 
and  he  is  about  to  kiss  her  when  she  shrinks  away) 
Oh!  I  forgot!  (JENNINGS  puts  up  lights)  (GLEN 
is  dressed  in  full  evening  dress  in  the  height  of 
fashion) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  61 

IND.  (c. — standing  away  from  him  rather  shyly) 
You  were  the  surprise? 

GLEN.    (L.  c.)    Yes,  I  was  the  surprise. 

IND.  I  was  just  trying  to  sleep  and  thinking  of 
the  old  days  when  we  played  tag  together  and — Oh ! 
How  fine —  (x's  to  R.  c.) 

GLEN.    (c.  eagerly)    What? 

IND.    Never  mind. 

GLEN.  I've  become  a  man  of  the  world  since  you 
left,  Indy.  Dead  easy  —  buy  the  highest  priced 
clothes,  wear  patent  leather  boots,  keep  your  hands 
in  your  pockets  and  look  bored — you  don't  ask  me 
to  sit  down,  (x'ing  to  sofa  L.) 

IND.  Yes,  do.  You've  changed  so  much  for  the 
better — I'm  quite  bewildered. 

GLEN,  (both  sit — with  a  superior  air)  That's 
worth  crossing  the  ocean  to  hear  from  you.  But  I 
won't  sit  down  here,  the  place  chokes  me — I've 
brought  a  hansom  and  we'll  jump  in  and  take  a 
spin  about — till  it's  time  to  join  the  folks  at  din 
ner. 

IND.  (rising  goes  to  table — her  back  toward  him 
with  a  gulp)  I'm  not  going — my  husband  won't  let 
me — 

GLEN.  Your  husband  won't  let  you?  Poor,  poor 
child,  has  it  come  to  this  already? 

IND.  (blazing  at  him — turning  to  him)  Don't 
waste  any  sympathy — I'm  perfectly  happy,  I  assure 
you. 

GLEN,  (skeptically)  Yes — you  look  it —  (!ND. 
x's  E.  of  table)  I  understand  him — it's  a  case  of 
jealousy —  He's  trying  to  wean  you  from  your  own 
people —  I  suppose  I  won't  be  allowed  to  see  any 
thing  of  you  either.  I  am  glad  they  let  me  in  to 
get  one  glimpse  of  you.  Next  time  it  will  be  "Not 
at  home"  or  "engaged"  or  something — I'm  very  sorry 
• — you  couldn't  come  just  this  one  night.  It'll  spoil 


62  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

the  whole  evening  for  us — and  I  had  so  much  to 
tell  you — but  I  won't  keep  you — good-bye —  (goes  L.) 

IND.  (despairingly — follows  him)  Glen!  How 
can  you  act  like  that.  I'm  no  prisoner.  I  can  go 
if  I  want  to — but  I  don't  want  to — 

GLEN.  That  makes  it  worse  than  ever.  We  sym 
pathize  with  you  in  the  other  case,  but  now,  we  must 
have  the  pride  not  to  beg — when  you  turn  your 
back  upon  us — good  night. 

IND.  Oh!  I  can't  stand  this.  I'll  go —  (x's  to 
ward  door  E.  3  E.,  half  to  herself)  Ifs  no  use 
/appealing  to  Thurston,  because — well — well — just 
sit  down  and  I'll  slip  into  a  dress —  (x's  to  door  K. 
1  E.,  comes  back)  I  won't  go  to  any  hotel  where 
there's  music. 

GLEN,  (joyfully)  It's  a  go.  (c. — exit  IND.  in 
room)  (GLEN  looks  around  then  sits  L.  of  table 
takes  up  book,  looks  at  fly  leaf)  (Enter  JENNINGS 
who  lights  candles  up  stage) 

GLEN,  (reading  from  the  fly  leaf)  H  F  R 
G  M  Hallelujah  —  Fanatica  —  Eeligioso  — 

Gloria — Monday — Sunday  I  mean.  Is  that  right? 

JEN.  No,  sir,  it  means,  Honorary  Fellow  Royal 
Geographical  Society.  They  wanted  Lord  Thurston 
to  lead  an  expedition  to  the  North  Pole,  I  under 
stand,  if  his  lordship  had  not  married,  he  would 
have  gone. 

GLEN,  (shaking  his  head  and  rising,  leaves  book 
on  table)  Pity  he  didn't  go —  (sighs,  looks  around, 
x's  to  mantel,  sees  photo,  takes  it  down)  Ah,  a 
new  photograph — 

JEN.  Yes,  of  her  little  ladyship —  Do  you  like 
it? 

GLEN.  Oh,  so-so —  (sees  JENNINGS  is  not  looking, 
kisses  it) 

JEN.  (up  L.)  My  lady  thinks  it's  vulgar  to  be 
photographed — I  can't  agree  with  her — I  love  that 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  63 

picture — I  look  at  it  fifty  times  a  day.  My  lady  is 
going  to  have  her  little  ladyship's  portrait  painted 
by  one  of  the  great  masters — 

GLEN.     What  next — 

JEN.  What  next?  After  the  season  we  are  to  go 
to  our  ancestral  hall  and  her  little  ladyship  is  to 
play  Lady  Bountiful  and  visit  all  the  poor  tenants. 

GLEN.  Another  new  part —  (to  picture)  It's  all 
acting  with  you — when  the  first  blaze  of  glory  is 
over  and  you  find  yourself  in  it  for  life  what  will 
you  do  then,  you  poor  little  prairie  chicken — 

JEN.    (disgusted)    Prairie  chicken!  (exit  L.  1  E.) 

GLEN,  (laughs,  goes  to  chair  L.  of  table,  sits) 
How  jolly  I  am — liar — hypocrite —  (kicks  his 
foot,  then  to  picture)  (Ah  you  wicked  little 
secessionist,  you'll  eat  your  heart  out  here  in  this 
imperialism.  Little  Western  Bobolink,  with  your 
wings  clipped  and  your  eyes  peering  over  the  cruel 
ocean,  (half  sobs)  Oh,  you'll  never  complain.  You're 
too  proud,  (leans  his  head  on  his  hand — INDIANA 
enters  in  full  evening  dress — pulls  bell  cord — • 
stands  for  a  moment  and  then  throws  her  glove  at 
him,  turns)  Oh !  (rises,  goes  L.  c.,  leaving  picture 
on  table) 

IND.  (with  a  superior  air,  sits  R.  of  table,  writes) 
(GLEN  looks  at  her  with  worshipping  eyes)  It's 
not  necessary  to  ask  you  how  I  look.  I've  completely 
stunned  you.  Now  I'll  leave  a  message  for  Thurs- 
ton.  (takes  up  pen,  and  then  perplexed,  begins  to 
look  a  little  grave) 

GLEN.    Oh,  you're  sorry.    You'd  like  to  back  out. 

IND.  (nerving  herself — writes)  Not  at  all — I 
know  just  what  my  husband  will  do.  He  won't  say 
a  word  to  anyone — he'll  jump  in  a  cab  and  follow 
me. 

GLEN.    And  then  a  family  row. 


64  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

IND.  Thurston  is  too  high  bred  for  any  public 
display  of  feeling,  but  he'll  look  cold  and  proud — 
I'll — I'll  quiver  my  eyelids,  and — he'll  kiss  me — 
that's  all. 

GLEN.  I  know — you  could  soften  stone,  '(picks 
up  gloves} 

IND.  (on  the  qui  vive)  Oh,  I'm  so  excited.  I 
love  uncertainty  of  any  kind. 

GLEN,  (goes  up  L.  c.)  Women  are  born  gam 
blers,  (enter  JENNINGS  L.  1  E.,  goes  above  table) 

IND.  (trying  to  appear  indifferent)  There — 
there  is  a  note  on  the  table  for — your  master. 

JEN.    Yes,  your  ladyship. 

IND.  (x'ing  in  front  of  table  up  L.  c. — E.  of 
GLEN)  (loftily)  Er— I  shall  be— 

GLEN.  Somebody  coming —  (cross)  Quick  or 
Bluebeard  will  cut  off  our  heads. 

IND.  (bus.  takes  GLEN'S  hand)  Scoot!  (takes  his 
hand  and  laughing  like  two  children,  they  exit  as 
she  says  Skee-oot)  (JENNINGS  shakes  his  head  dole 
fully  as  LORD  S.  enters  in  evening  dress) 

JEN.  (goes  quickly  up  to  window  c.,  at  window 
horror  stricken)  She's  driving  off  in  a  hansom ! 

LORD.  S.  (at  fireplace)  Who's  driving  off  in  a 
hansom  ? 

JEN.     (starting)    Her — her  little  ladyship. 

LORD  S.    Impossible. 

JEN.  (down  L.  c.)  Her  little  ladyship's  gone 
with  the  gentleman  from  America. 

LORD  S.  (contemplating,  pulling  his  mustache) 
Oh,  evidently — young  Masters —  By  George !  (enter 
THURSTON) 

THURS.  (down  c.)  Uncle  Gerald,  I  thought  you 
were  dining  out  this  evening.  (LORD  S.  stands 
lighting  a  cigarette  trying  to  appear  unconcerned) 
I'm  as  hungry  as  a  bear —  (goes  to  door  of  room — 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  65 

knocks)     Indiana!    (knocks)    Indiana  dear!    (open 
door) 

WARN  CURTAIN 

LORD  S.     Er — Thurston. 

THUES.     (turns  quickly)    Where's  Indiana? 

JEN.    (L.)    Her  little  ladyship's  gone  out,  sir. 

THURS.  Impossible.  I  left  her  asleep  here. 
(x'ing  L.  of  table  pointing  at  sofa) 

JEN.  Her  ladyship  left  a  note.  (THURSTON 
rushes  to  table,  takes  note,  opens  it,  reads  it  quickly) 
Shall  I  serve  dinner  at  the  usual  hour,  sir  ? 

THURS.    Certainly.    (JENNINGS  goes  out  L.  1  E.) 

LOBD  S.  (quickly  at  fireplace)  She  has  gone  with 
young  Masters. 

THURS.    Yes,  to  dine,  and  asks  me  to  fetch  her. 

LORD  S.    (relieved)    Then  it's  all  right. 

THURS.  (c.)  It's  not  all  right  by  any  means, 
Uncle  Gerald.  My  wife  has  gone  against  my  ex 
press  wishes. 

LORD  S.  (x'ing  toward  THURSTON)  Ah !  By 
George !  too  bad.  You'll  go  and  fetch  her  of  course  ? 

THURS.    (after  a  pause)     No ! 

THURS.    No ! 

LORD.  S.    What  are  you  going  to  do? 

THURS.  (after  a  pause — sit  L.  of  table  c.,  LORD 
S.  looks  at  him)  I — I'm  going — to — sit  up  for  my 
wife  (like  a  good  obedient  husband!)  ad  lib — 

CURTAIN 

PICTURE. — THURSTON  (takes  up  book,  opens  it — 
LORD  S.  back  to  audience  going  out  R.  3  E.) 


66  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

ACT  III 

LIGHT  PLOT. — Lights  same  as  end  of  Act  II. 
Except  candles  in  sconces  (R.  and  L.  arch  c.) 
out.  Calcium  on  drop  out.  Side  lights  off. 
House  14  up. 

Cue — As  clock  strikes  12.  Border  works  off  grad 
ually.  Foots  work  to  half — JENNINGS  extin 
guishes  candles. 

Cue — After  entrance  of  GLEN.  Bunches  L.  1  E.  and 
R.  2  E.  go  off. 

Cue — After  curtains  on  c.  arch  are  closed.  A  white 
lunch  is  thrown  on  window  c.  and  platform, 
but  kept  off  drop. 

Cue — When  JENNINGS  put  out  lamp  c.  Foots  go 
to  a  slight  glow  (a  snap) 

Cue — When  LORD  CANNING  puts  up  lamp  c.  Foots 
go  up  to  1/4 — (at  a  snap) 

SCENE. — The  same.    Time,  11  o'clock,  night. 

DISCOVERED.— THURSTON  still  sitting  with  book 
at  table.  The  clock  strikes  11.  JENNINGS 
stands  looking  at  THUHSTON  wistfully. 

WARN  KNOCK 

THURS.  (at  L.  of  ialle  c.)  Eleven  o'clock  — 
(enter  JENNINGS  L.  1  E.  THURSTON  in  sharp,  quick 
tone)  Well,  what  is  it? 

JENNINGS.  I'll  keep  up  the  fire,  sir,  it's  a  bit 
sharp  out  to-night. 

THURS.  (slowly,  as  if  with  difficulty)  My  mother 
does  not  know — my  wife — is — absent — 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  67 

JEX.   Xo,  sir — not  a  word,  sir. 
THURS.     That's   right.     We  mustn't  worry  her 
unnecessarily,    (a  knock  heard  outside) 

KNOCK 

JEIST.  (with  a  chuckle  of  joy)  Ah!  Here's  her 
little  ladyship  now,  sir.  (exits  L.  1  E.  THURSTON 
with  a  flash  of  joy  goes  toward  door  but  on  second 
thought  he  returns,  sits  down  at  L.  of  table,  bends 
his  head  down  over  his  book  trying  to  appear  disin 
terested.  JENNINGS  enters  followed  by  MR.  STILL- 
WATER) 

THURS.  (turns  on  seeing  STILLWATER,  a  look  of 
deep  disappointment  and  anger  passes  over  his  face 
and  he  speaks  quickly  and  uncontrollably — rises) 
Where  is  my  wife — where  is  she?  (x's  to  R.  c.) 

STILL,  (very  conciliating  and  a  little  embar 
rassed.  Is  in  evening  dress  with  overcoat  over  his 
arm  and  an  opera  hat)  She's  all  right,  my  boy — 
she's  all  right.  She's  at  the  hotel  with  Mother  and 
Grandma  Chazy,  and  I  came  to  bring  you  back  to 
finish  up  the  evening  with  us —  (puts  hat  and  coat 
on  L.  end  of  sofa) 

THURS.  Mr.  Stillwater,  do  you  know  that  my 
wife  left  the  house  against  my  expressed  wish  and 
commands?  Drove  away  from  my  door  on  Sunday 
evening  with  a  gentleman  not  her  husband? 

STILL.  Yes,  I  know  all  about  it,  my  boy — but 
it  was  only  Glen — just  the  same  as  her  own  brother. 

THURS.  My  household  does  not  know  that.  The 
appearance  of  such  a  proceeding  is  most  unfavorable. 
(x'ing  to  fire  R.  2  E.) 

STILL.  (L.  c.  rather  impatiently)  I  know — but 
— it's  Indiana's  way  of  doing  things — just  because 
you  said  she  shouldn't,  she  did  it.  Now  if  you'd 
handled  her  a  little  better — you'll  excuse  me,  but 
I've  known  her  longer  than  you. 


68  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

THUES.  (x's  to  L.  and  front  of  table  c.)  You 
may  have  known  her  longer,  but  I  doubt  if  you 
know  her  better.  As  to  handling  her,  as  you  call  it, 
I  will  never  bribe  or  cajole  my  wife  into  doing  her 
duty. 

STILL,  (with  an  effort  of  conciliation)  My  boy, 
I  approve  of  the  stand  you  are  taking — but  com 
mence  after  we've  gone.  It'll  be  all  right ;  I  promise 
you  she  will  receive  you  with  open  arms. 

THUBS.  I  am  sorry  to  refuse  you.  This  is  the 
first  time  my  wife  has  openly  defied  my  wishes ;  if  I 
give  in,  it  will  only  be  the  beginning  of  endless 
repetitions,  and  I  shall  fall  in  line  behind  her  (sar 
castic)  like  a  good,  obedient  husband. 

STILL,  (rather  huffed)  It's  not  such  a  terrible 
thing  to  be  a  good,  obedient  husband.  I'm  one — I 
don't  look  very  bad  on  it — do  I? 

THUES.  (smiling)  My  dear  Father-in-law,  if  I 
were  an  American,  I  would  consider  it  the  acme  of 
bliss  to  be  in  the  leading  strings  of  my  pretty 
wife,  but — 

STILL,  (with  a  laugh)  You're  not  built  that 
way,  eh?  (THUBS.  laughs  and  shrugs  his  shoulders) 
(  STILL  WATEB  more  at  ease  x's  to  sofa  taJces  up  coat 
and  hat)  Come  along,  she's  only  a  mite — she's  done 
wrong,  she  knows  it  and  she's  mighty  uncomfort 
able.  Now  come,  and  when  you  get  her  home  read 
the  riot  act —  (L.  end  of  sofa.  THUBSTOX  shakes 
his  head.  STILLWATEB  annoyed,  puts  coat  and  hat 
on  B.  end  of  sofa  B.  c.)  I  will  not  have  her  staying 
over  night  with  us.  The  place  for  a  young  wife  is 
under  her  husband's  roof. 

THUES.  (sitting  B.  of  table  c.)  Use  your  author 
ity  to  convince  her  of  that  fact. 

STILL,  (to  L.  of  table  c.  Intensely)  Do  you 
think  I  haven't  done  so  already?  Do  you  think  I 
came  here  alone  to-night  without  doing  all  I  knew 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  69 

how  to  get  her  to  come  with  me  ?  She  never  told  us 
until  the  evening  was  half  over  that  you  forbade  her 
to  go — we  begged — we  prayed — we  bullied  her — and 
she  gave  it  to  us  back  as  good  as  she  got  it — ha !  ha ! 
— and  Grandma  Chazy  got  mad — she — she  nearly 
slapped  her.  But  do  you  think  she'd  budge — not  a 
foot.  Come  now,  she  doesn't  mean  anything,  and  will 
I  tell  you  something? —  She's  afraid  to  come  home. 
I  know  that  little  uneasy  laugh  of  hers — with  her 
eyes  full  of  tears — she's  done  wrong — she's  sorry  and 
she  wants  you  to  come  and  make  it  up —  Won't  you 
come,  Thurston — won't  you? 

THUBS.  (shakes  his  head  negatively)  When  I 
think  of  you  three  old  people  helpless  against  that 
slip  of  a  girl,  it  appalls  me — 

STILL.  Then  I  tell  you  what  it  is!  She  won't 
come  home  until  you  do  come  after  her — that's  her 
ultimatum,  (strikes  front  end  of  table  with  hand) 

THURS.  (rising,  speaking  sternly  and  decidedly) 
And  this  is  mine — my  house  closes  at  12  o'clock  and 
if  she  does  not  return  at  that  time,  the  doors  will 
be  locked  for  the  night. 

STILL,  (x'ing  back  of  sofa)  I'll  do  what  I  can — 
I'll  march  her  into  a  carriage  as  soon  as  I  get  home. 
(takes  up  coat  and  hat)  She  won't  let  me  come 
with  her  because  she  don't  know  how  you'll  receive 
her — I'll  tell  her  you're  waiting  up,  eh? 

THURS.  I  shall  wait  up  until  12 — after  that  time 
she  must  remain  with  you — 

STILL,  (with  a  sigh,  x's  to  door  L.  1  E.  stops) 
You're  making  a  very  hard  time  for  yourself — 
Good  night,  (exit  L.  1  E.  THURSTON  stands  mo 
tionless  as  a  statue  in  deep  thought.  JENNINGS 
enters  L.  1  E.) 

THURS.  (in  measured  tones)  Jennings,  Lady 
Canning  may  not  return  to-night.  She  will  prob- 


70  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

ably  remuin  with  her  people — she  naturally  wants 
to  see  as  much  of  them  as  possible. 

JEN.    Yes,  your  lordship. 

THUES.  Lock  up  at  the  usual  hour  and  go  to 
bed.  If  she  is  not  here  before  12,  she  will  not 
return. 

JEN",  (watching  him)  Yes,  your  lordship  — 
(with  an  ejaculation  of  fear)  Milady — Sir — Milady 
—(stands  down  L.) 

THUBS.  My  mother !  Don't  look  so  anxious,  Jen 
nings,  don't,  (enter  LADY  CANNING  B.  2  E.  With  a 
bright  smile  on  his  face  he  takes  LADY  C.'s  two 
hands  and  draws  her  into  the  room)  Mother!  What 
keeps  you  up  at  this  hour? 

LADY  C.  (x's  to  seat  at  fireplace)  I've  had  so 
much  to  think  of — since — since  this  afternoon.  I 
wasn't  at  all  sleepy  —  where's  Indiana-^ in  bed? 
Jennings  told  me  she  had  a  headache,  (exit  JEN 
NINGS  hurriedly) 

THUBS.  (mechanically)  Yes,  the  excitement. 
(JENNINGS  slowly  exits) 

LADY  C.  (affectionately  talcing  THUBSTON'S  hand) 
Thurston,  I  have  only  realized  what  a  courageous 
man  you  are,  dear — since  I  have  seen  her  people. 

THUBS.  (leaning  over  her)  Mother,  the  only  dif 
ference  between  us  is  that  we  are  old  and  they  are 
new  people — and  after  all,  (sits)  mother,  is  not 
that  repose  of  class  and  breeding  a  sign  of  old  age 
and  is  not  a  restless,  ever-seething  activity,  signs 
of  a  youthful  and  healthful  vitality? 

LADY  C.  It's  very  good  and  chivalrous  of  you,  my 
dear,  to  look  at  it  that  way,  and  perhaps  you  are 
right,  but  I  am  not  a  student  of  sociology — not 
that  I  object  to  the  mother  and  father — we  have 
one  great  point  of  sympathy — our  love  for  the  dear 
child — but  the  Grandmother,  Thurston — is  she — 
quite — well  balanced? 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  71 

THUBS.  (laughing)  She's  a  shining  light,  moth 
er — she  has  invented  a  number  of  very  ingenious  im 
provements  for  practical  machines — she  is  a  promi 
nent  member  of  women's  clubs — but  I  believe  she  is 
going  in  for  some  political  office  next  year. 

LADY  C.  (with  a  sigh)  Wonderful  how  people 
differ  in  conception  of  things,  but  if  she  were  my 
mother,  I  should  consider  she  should  have  a  per 
sonal  attendant.  What  do  you  think  she  said  to 
me — that  "I  ought  to  make  more  of  myself"  and 
"If  I'd  come  over  to  the  hotel  she'd  fix  me  up."  (LoBD 
THUES.  and  LADY  C.  laugh)  Well,  we'll  get  on 
with  them,  won't  we — they  have  given  us  our  In 
diana — I  am  going  to  make  a  great  effort  for  her 
sake;  I'm  going  to  present  her  myself  at  the  first 
drawing-room  of  the  season. 

THUBS.    Mother — 

WAEN  CLOCK 

LADY  C.  Yes,  I'm  coming  out  of  my  retirement 
after  twenty  years,  and  we'll  make  a  sensation,  I 
promise  you.  The  child  has  brightened  my  life.  I'm 
beginning  to  take  an  interest  in  things  for  the  first 
time  since  I  lost  your  dear  father. 

THUES.  (rising  x's  to  lower  end  of  mantel)  I'm 
very  glad  of  that,  mother,  very  glad— and  happy. 

LADY  C.  (rises,  x's  toward  door  B.  IE.)  Now 
I'll  just  creep  in  and  kiss  her  good  night.  I — 

THUES.  (quietly  —  stopping  her)  I  wouldn't, 
mother. 

LADY  C.    I  won't  awake  her. 

THUES.  (quietly  "but  with  an  intent  anxiety) 
Don't  go  in,  mother. 

LADY  C.  (turns  away  to  E.  c.)  (comes  lack  un 
willingly)  Just  as  you  say,  Thurston — give  her 
my  love  and  a  kiss.  We  must  love  her  very  much, 


72  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

and  if  there  are  any  faults,  we  must  deal  gently 
with  them  on  account  of  her  training. 

THUES.  Good  night,  mother,  (takes  her  to  door 
— she  exits  R.  3  E.  THURSTOX  smiles  her  out,  and 
as  soon  as  she  is  gone,  THURSTOX  looks  at  dock, 
then  goes  up  to  window  c.,  opens  it  and  looks  out — 
doses  it — but  opens  it  again  quickly  as  though  he 
heard  a  cab.  Mistaken,  he  again  doses  the  window 
and  goes  to  seat  at  fireplace — sits — looks  again  at 
dock — then  buries  his  face  in  his  hands.  Enter 
JENNINGS)  (JEXXIXGS  carries  candle  extinguisher) 

JEN.  (at  chair  L.  of  table)  (piteously)  Won't  you 
have  a  cold  bite,  sir — you  never  touched  the  dinner. 
(THURSTOX  shakes  his  head)  A  glass  of  wine,  sir? 

THURS.  Nothing — Jennings,  don't  bother — there's 
a  good  fellow  and  don't  come  crawling  in  and  out 
continually — I  can't  read — it  disturbs  me.  (x's  to 
arm  chair  B.  of  table,  takes  up  book) 

CLOCK  STRIKES  12 

JENNINGS.  Very  well,  sir —  (x's  to  fireplace  and 
extinguishes  candles,  and  then  x's  to  candelabra 
above  door  L.  and  extinguishes  those.  The  dock 
strikes  twelve  while  JEXXIXGS  is  doing  this.  Six 
candles  on  mantel  and  three  at  door  are  all  that  can 
be  extinguished  during  the  time) 

WARN  KNOCK 

THURS.     (reads)    Twelve  o'clock. 

JEN.  I'll  only  put  on  the  chain,  your  Lordship 
—  in  case — 

THURS.  Lock  the  door — take  the  key  out  as  usual, 
and  go  to  bed. 

KNOCK 

JEN.  (with  a  silent  motion  of  assent,  goes  to  door 
• — a  loud  knock)  Ah!  Here  she  is — at  last.  Here's 
her  little  ladyship —  (rushes  out) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  73 

THURS.  (then  with  a  cry  of  gladness  x's  toward 
door  L.  1  E.)  Ah!  my  wife — my  Indiana —  Thank 
heaven — I —  (rushes  to  door  and  is  met  by  GLEN, 
who  enters.  THURS.  turns  and  crosses  to  R.  c.) 

GLEN,  (a  little  embarrassed)  It's  rather  a  late 
visit,  Lord  Canning — but — I — I  left  the  folks  about 
ten  o'clock  and— I — I've  been  driving  about  the  city 
trying  to  collect  my  thoughts.  Indiana  told  me 
you  generally  sat  up  after  she  retired,  so  I  waited 
late  to  find  you  alone  and  have  it  out  with  you. 

THURS.  (who  has  regained  his  composure)  Oh! 
Indeed — I  was  not  aware  that  there  was  any  sub 
ject  to  be  thrashed  out  between  you  and  me — 

GLEN.  Indiana's  unhappy — I  can't  see  it — it 
breaks  my  heart. 

THURS.  (R.  c.,  coldly)  You  are  a  very  young 
man,  sir — and  closely  connected  with  my  wife  and 
her  family,  or  I  should  consider  this  an  unwarrant 
able  piece  of  impertinence. 

GLEN.  Ah !  that's  the  point,  and  as  we  both  want 
square  and  above  board — and  I  hate  anything  clan 
destine — this  is  a  case  of  a  husband  and  wife  and 
another  man  who  loves  her.  I'm  the  other  man — 
now  kick  me  out.  (x'ing  towards  THURSTON) 

THURS.  (half  amused — half  earnest)  I  should 
assuredly  do  so  if  you  were  an  Englishman.  But, 
in  your  case  I  will  only  beg  of  you  to  explain  your 
meaning —  I  am  always  willing  to  learn. 

GLEN,  (embarrassed)  Er — have  a  cigarette — er 
— Indiana  won't  be  likely  to  come  in  (hands  his 
case.  THURS.  refuses)  I  suppose  she's  safe  in  bed — 

THURS.    (evasively)    No — it's  not  likely — 

GLEN,  (lights  cigarette  sitting  on  R.  arm  of  sofa) 
I  want  to  keep  her  out  of  it  if  I  can.  (confidentially 
— lighting  cigarette)  I'm  not  much  of  a  talker,  and 
this  helps  me — and  I'm  a  great  thinker — I've  lived 
alone  a  considerable  part  of  my  life,  and  my  way 


74  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

of  doing  things  may  not  be  strictly  constitutional — 
but  that  doesn't  say  I'm  wrong —  (x's  to  table,  moves 
inkstand  to  lower  end  of  table,  puts  burnt  match  in 
its  tray  and  then  sits) 

THUHS.  Not  at  all —  (goes  up  back  of  chair  R. 
of  table) 

GLEN,  (very  important  manner)  Do  you  believe 
that  the  pursuit  of  happiness  is  the — highest  aim 
of  life? 

THUES.  That  depends  whose  happiness  a  man 
is  pursuing — you  are  evidently  after  mine,  (sits  B. 
of  table) 

GLEN.  What  I  mean  is  making  others — happy, 
the  highest  aim. 

THURS.  Possibly — my  highest  aim  at  present  is 
to  see  my  wife  perfectly  happy. 

GLEN.  Ah!  that's  the  point,  and  as  we  both  want 
the  same  thing,  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  joining 
forces  and  accomplishing  it. 

THURS.  I  cannot  see  how  you  can  help  in  that 
consummation — 

GLEN,  (boyishly)  That's  what  I  came  to  tell  you 
— I'm  the  only  one  who  really  understands  Indiana. 
I  know  how  to  get  at  her  true  feelings  better  than 
all  her  folks  put  together.  (THURSTON  half  smiles 
— GLEN  with  a  superior  manner)  I  saw  the  end  of 
it  from  the  first — like  all  young  girls,  Indy  wanted 
something  new.  I'm  not  blaming  her  but — she's 
not  happy — she  can  never  be  made  happy  away  from 
her  own  home  and  people. 

THURS.  (manner  changing  from  good  natured 
tolerance  to  icy  proudness)  Are  you  here  as  my 
wife's  ambassador? 

GLEN,  (uneasily)  Well,  no,  not  exactly — but  she 
didn't  object  when  I  told  her  that  I  was  going  to 
have  it  out  with  you. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  75 

THUES.  It  will  be  interesting  to  know  what  your 
intentions  are. 

GLEN,  (intensely  naive)  I — I  want  to  tell  you 
the  thing  won't  work — I  don't  see  how  you  could 
expect  it.  I  want,  in  a  perfectly  open  and  straight 
forward  way,  to  discuss  the  means  to  the  desired 
result — her  happiness. 

THURS.  This  would  all  be  very  farcial  if  there 
were  not  a  very  serious  question  for  me  at  the  root 
of  it— 

GLEN,  (a  pause,  GLEN  embarrassed) — er  what 
do  you  propose  to  do? 

THUES.  (stern  and  cold,  drawing  himself  up) 
Prove  to  my  own  satisfaction,  the  truth  of  your  state 
ment  that  my  wife  is  not,  and  never  can  be  happy  in 
her  new  home.  I  shall  not  ask  her.  I  am  egotistical 
enough  to  believe  that  I  understand  her  better  than 
her  people,  and  even  better  than  you,  and  I  am  con 
vinced  that  a  few  years  away  from  her  family,  will 
convert  the  spoiled  child  into  a  splendid  self-con 
trolled  woman. 

GLEN.  Er —  How  long  will  it  take  you  to  dis 
cover  all  this — a  life  time,  I  suppose. 

THUES.    About  twelve  hours. 

GLEN,  (rising)  Lord  Canning,  I — I  don't  know 
why — but  I  don't  feel  anything  near  as  confident  as 
I  did  when  I  came  in.  I  was  sure  my  platform  was 
a  just  and  equitable  one,  but  since  I've  been  watch 
ing  you  and  listening,  I  begin  to  feel  a  little  ashamed 
of  myself. 

THUES.  (half  seriously)  No  occasion  for  it,  I'm 
sure.  » 

GLEN.  You're  a  fine  fellow,  sir,  and  if  Indiana  is 
not  happy  with  you — it  is  not  your  fault — it's  the 
fault  of  your  nationality — that's  the  only  weak  point 
I  can  see  in  you. 


76  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

THUKS.  (smiling)  An  Englishman  and  his  na 
tionality  cannot  easily  be  divorced  as — a  husband 
and  wife. 

GLEN.  Lord  Canning — although  it's  against  my 
— own  interests,  I — I  wish  you  luck —  (start  to  go 

L.   C.) 

THUBS.  (x's  toward  bell  cord  down  B.)  Thank 
you.  A  moment,  please.  The  house  is  already 
closed  for  the  night,  (pulls  cord)  Jennings  will 
open  the  door  for  you.  (THUBSTON  moves  away  from 
bell  cord.  JENNINGS  enters  L.  1  E.)  Jennings,  light 
the  gentleman  down,  (significantly)  and  fasten  the 
bolt  securely. 

JENNINGS.    Yes  your  lordship,    (exit  L.  1  E.) 


GLEN.  Good  night,  (x's  to  door.  Enter  JEN 
NINGS  with  candle)  (GLEN  comes  back  confiden 
tially)  You  won't  see  me  again — I  shall  keep  out 
of  the  way — I  won't  move  a  step  in  this  matter  until 
I  am  quite  sure  the  case  is  hopeless  with  you. 
(THUBSTON  nods  his  head,  half  smiling.  'Exit  GLEN 
followed  by  JENNINGS.  THUBS.  throws  lack  his 
head  with  a  low  laugh,  then  frowns  and  sits  down 
to  table,  opens  a  boolc  to  read.  JENNINGS  comes  in 
with  key,  stops  and  looks  at  THUBSTON,  whose  head 
is  bent  over  his  boolc.) 

THUBS.  Jennings,  what  are  you  prowling  around 
here  for? 

JEN.   I  just  looked  in  to  see  after  the  fire,  sir. 

THUBS.  No  sign  of  it's  going  out,  Jennings. 
Find  a  more  plausible  excuse. 

JEN.  A  few  more  coals  on  the  fire  if  you  are  not 
going  to  bed — but  perhaps  you  are  going  to  bed. 

THUBS.    No!   I  think  I'll  sit  up  and  read. 

JEN.  Oh,  very  well  then,  I'll  just  look  after  it  a 
bit.  (JENNINGS  goes  to  fire,  pokes  it  and  then,  see- 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  77 

ing  he  is  unnoticed  by  THURSTON,  tiptoes  to  win 
dow  and  looks  out.  Pause  count  ten — a  knock,  low 
and  timid.  THUBSTON  starts,  also  JENNINGS) 

KNOCK 


THUES.     Jennings 

JEN.  Here's  her  little  ladyship,  sir —  (looks  up 
and  sees  THUESTON'S  stern  face) 

THUES.  (in  low  set  tones)  Draw  those  curtains — • 
(JENNINGS  goes  to  curtains  and  draws  them.  An 
other  knock) 

KNOCK 

JEN.  (in  desperation  down  L  of  table  c.  to  THUES 
TON)  She's  at  the  door — 

LIGHT  AT  BACK 

THUBS.  I  have  said  that  my  doors  shall  not  be 
opened  to-night — and  I  mean  to  keep  my  word.  If 
you  make  one  move  to  undo  what  I  have  done,  in 
spite  of  the  affection  I  have  for  you — I  shall  dismiss 
you  on  the  spot. 

JENNINGS,  (puts  key  on  lower  end  of  table,  turns 
crying)  Dismiss !  (pathetically — takes  key  and  puts 
it  on  the  table,  then  breaks  down  sobbing) 

THUES.  (stands  listening  then  takes  key,  starts 
for  door)  I  must  (listening  intensely.  Sound  of 
cab  door  slam)  She  has  gone  back  to  the  carriage. 
(the  bell  of  the  cab  is  heard)  She  is  driving  back 
to  the  hotel— a  little  longer  and  I  must  have  given 
in —  (goes  to  door  of  bed  room)  Keep  up  the  fire — 
I  shall  probably  come  in  again  and  read —  (goes  to 
door,  exits  info  room  sighing) 

JENNINGS,  (goes  to  table  c.,  turns  out  light  and 
starts  toward  door  L.  \  E.)  That  I  should  live  to 
see  this  night,  (stops  listening,  conveying  to  the 
audience  that  he  hears  something.  The  sound  of 
low  sobbing  is  faintly  heard — JENNINGS  listening, 


78  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

every  n,erve  on  the  alert — in  half  whisper)  It's  out 
side —  (goes  to  window,  opens  both  doors  of  window 
— puts  out  his  head) 

INDIANA,    (in  low  tones — outside)    Jennings. 

JEN.  Her  little  ladyship — on  the  steps — in  the 
cold. 

IND.    Is  it  you,  Jennings? 

JEN.  (in  a  whisper)  Yes,  your  little  ladyship.  I 
can't  open  the  door,  your  ladyship.  Hush !  don't 
call  out — wait.  Your  little  ladyship,  can't  you  climb 
over  the  balcony.  Take  hold  of  that  ivy  there — 
there,  that's  right. 

IND.  (seen  through  window  c.  as  though  climb 
ing  over  balcony)  Oh,  it's  so  high. 

JEN.  Now  give  me  your  hand — ah — you're  such 
a  light  little  body —  (enter  INDIANA.  Leans  his 
body  over  the  railings  and  gradually  draws  IND. 
up — she  lightly  jumps  over  the  balcony — enters  the 
room  and  rushes  to  the  fire,  shivering  and  warming 
her  hands) 

IND.    (at  fireplace)    Oh,  I'm  so  cold — so  cold — 

JEN.  Hush! — lower  your  voice,  your  little  lady 
ship,  if  you  don't  want  to  ruin  me. 

IND.  (intensely)  What's  the  meaning  of  this. 
Where's  my  husband? 

JEN.     In  there. 

IND.     Why  didn't  you  open  the  door?    (c.) 

JEN.    (L.)    The  master  took  the  key  from  me. 

IND.  (with  horror-striclcen  face)  He — heard  me 
then — he  knew  I  was  there — answer  me! 

JEN.  (in  frightened  tones)  Yes — your  little  lady 
ship —  (!ND.  in  a  rage  leans  back  against  table) 
You  won't  tell  him  I  helped  you  in,  your  little  lady 
ship — he  said  he'd  dismiss  me  on  the  spot — and  he 
always  keeps  his  word. 

IND.  (leaning  against  the  table)  Yes,  he  keeps 
his  word —  (half  dazed  tones  x's  bade  to  fireplace) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  79 

I  won't  tell — and — I'm  in  now — thanks  to  you — 
it's  a  terrible  thing  to  be  locked  out  in  the  dark. 

THURS.  Jennings,  is  it  you  moving  about  in 
there? 

IND.  (recoils  from  THURSTON'S  door  and  motions 
JENNINGS  out,  as  THURSTON'S  door  is  thrown  open, 
he  enters,  dressed  with  a  smoking  jacket — replacing 
his  evening  coat.  He  stands  for  a  moment  in  full 
light  which  comes  from  his  room,  peering  into  the 
dim  light.  INDIANA  watching,  he  goes  to  L.  of 
table  c.  and  turns  up  light.  INDIANA  advances 
quickly.  He  looks  up  and  they  stand  face  to  face. 
He  stands  immovable — she  panting  with  rage  and 
excitement — INDIANA,  half  hysterically)  You  locked 
me  out  of  the  house. 

THURS.  (cold  and  calm — with  a  comprehensive 
look  at  open  window)  And  you  came  in  by  the 
window?  (goes  to  window  and  closes  it) 

IND.  (x's  L.  of  table  c.)  You  heard  me  knock 
and  you  left  me  on  the  doorstep. 

THURS.  You  had  due  warning,  (comes  down  to 
fireplace) 

IND.  You  sent  me  a  nice  message  with  my 
father — to  make  me  look  ridiculous  in  the  eyes  of 
my  own  family — I  waited  purposely 'till  after  one 
o'clock  to  prove  to  you  that  I  am  no  servant  (back 
of  table)  compelled  to  come  back  home  at  a  stated 
hour  or  have  the  door  shut  in  my  face.  You  are 
my  husband,  not  my  jailer — I  am  your  wife,  not 
your  prisoner  to  be  let  out  on  parole.  I  give  you 
full  liberty  of  action — if  you  do  not  give  me  the 
same,  I  shall  take  it,  Thurston,  I  shall  take  it — 
(x's  to  him  and  then  to  table)  (working  herself  up 
into  a  paroxysm  of  rage) 

THURS.  (coldly)  I  consult  your  wishes  in  any 
action  of  my  life — and  I  expect  you  to  consult  mine. 
I  am  your  guide,  your  adviser,  your  superior — in 


80  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

worldly  knowledge.  It  is  my  duty  to  stand  between 
you  and  the  waywardness  which  will  lead  you  in  the 
wrong  path.  The  true  spirit  of  marriage — duty — ob 
ligation — responsibility — gives  to  love  its  most  noble 
and  enduring  quality,  (during  this  THURSTON  moves 
forward  c.  INDIANA  goes  around  L.  end  of  sofa) 

IND.  Go  on,  lecture  the  child  into  submission — 
terrorize  her  into  silence.  Ah,  you  do  not  know 
me — I  will  never  forgive  you  until  you  come  to  me 
on  your  knees — on  your  knees  (back  of  sofa) 

THURS.  (INDIANA  leans  head  on  hands  on  "back 
of  sofa)  I  will  never  suffer  again  as  you  have  made 
me  suffer  to-night — the  agony  of  watching — hoping 
— the  disappointment —  the  intolerable  pain — 

IND.  (laughing  sarcastically)  Ah,  you  suffer — 
you  left  me  on  the  doorstep — like  an  outcast  and 
went  calmly  to  sleep — how  dared  you!  How  dared 
you —  (x's  to  him  in  front  of  chair  L.  of  table  c.) 

THURS.    I  dared — because  it  was  for  your  good. 

IND.  Ha!  Ha!  A  slave  to  bend  at  your  will — 
a  character  to  be  molded —  (sits  on  chair  L.  of 
table  c.) 

THURS.  (excitedly)  No!  no! — no!  you  are  not  a 
doll  to  be  fed  and  clothed  and  petted — kept  for  my 
pleasure  and  vanity  alone.  I  am  not  such  a  man,  I 
hold  you  higher — you  are  to  me  a  responsible  being 
whom  I  must  respect  and  to  accomplish  that  I  must 
teach  you  first  to  respect  yourself —  (R.  of  table) 

IND.    Ah!  insult — now —  (rising) 

THURS.  If  there  is  to  be  any  future  for  us,  you 
must  change  your  treatment  of  me. 

IND.    Oh,  must  I?    (x's  to  sofa  L.  and  sits) 

THURS.  I  will  not  be  the  victim  of  your  caprice 
—  to  be  dragged  after  you  through  life  —  to 
beg  for  your  favors  —  to  give  up  my  career  — 
my  brain  —  my  honor,  and  consider  myself  amply 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  81 

repaid  when  you  give  me  your  lips  to  kiss  — 
no — you  are  no  longer  a  child,  you  are  the  wife  of 
a  man  who  will  not  allow  you  to  make  him  (!ND. 
laughing  up  to  this  point — breaks  off  at  the  word 
"ridiculous,"  buries  her  face  in  her  handkerchief  to 
control  herself)  ridiculous  before  the  world,  'nor 
submit  to  have  the  sacredness  of  his  home  violated 
and  his  deepest  emotions  coarsely  discussed  by 
strangers. 

IND.  I  make  you  ridiculous — I — and  what  have 
you  done?  How  have  you  treated  me — you  never 
loved  me,  you  are  a  tyrant —  I  have  never  had  'a 
happy  moment  with  you.  (  THURS.  winces)  I'm 
sorry  I  ever  married  you.  I  would  undo  it  now  if 
I  could,  (crescendo) 

WARN  CURTAIN 

THURS.  (turns  with  a  cry  of  pain)  Ah! — 
IND.  (turning  on  him)  I  mean  it.  I  have  never 
known  a  harsh  word  in  my  life.  Everybody  loved — 
everybody  petted  me,  and  you —  (rises)  to  treat  me 
like  this — I  won't  stand  it,  I  tell  you.  (x's  to  him)  I 
hate  you  standing  there  like  ice — I  hate  you — I  hate 
(losing  all  self-control,  INDIANA  lifts  her  fists  as  if 
to  strike  Mm  in  her  rage — with  a  sudden  revulsion 
of  feeling,  THURSTON,  with  an  exclamation  of  hor 
ror  and  abhorrence,  turns  away  from  her  and  rushes 
into  his  room  shutting  the  door  after  him.  IN 
DIANA,  helpless  and  groping  like  a  bewildered  child} 
I — I— didn't  mean  it — I  didn't  know  what  I  was 
saying —  Oh!  I  hate  myself — not  you,  Thurston — 
not  you —  (x's  to  door  R.  1  E.)  (sobs)  I — want  to 
ask  you  to  forgive  me — Thurston.  I'm  so  sorry 
Thurston  (leans  her  head  against  the  door)  I  want 
to  tell  you —  Oh — !  it  is  too  late — too  late —  (drops 
down  by  door  R.  1  E.  sobbing) 

CURTAIN 


82          HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 
ACT  IV 

LIGHT  PLOT.— Same  scene  as  Acts  II  and  II L 
At  rise — House  half  up.  Lamp  lighted  c.  Can 
dles  out.  Foots,  sides,  1st  border  and  bunches 
L.  1  E.,  R.  1  and  2  E.  up  full.  Remain  enfire 
act.  Fire  almost  out.  Calcium — amber  from 
L.  on  to  drop. 

Cue — At  entrance  of  LORD  CANNING.  Calcium — 
white  goes  on  to  drop  from  R.,  remains  through 
out  act. 

SCENE.— The  same. 

TIME. — Following  morning.  The  lights  are  still 
lit.  The  fire  out.  Through  the  window  strong 
daylight  pouring  into  the  room. 

DISCOVEEED. — INDIANA  sits  on  floor  by  sofa  at 
fireplace,  her  head  resting  on  sofa,  arm  hanging 
listlessly  down,  eyes  closed,  whole  appearance 
disordered,  hair  untidy.  A  quiet,  gentle  knock 
— a  pause.  JENNINGS  steals  quietly  in — comes 
down,  sees  INDIANA  and  shakes  his  head  sadly. 
He  has  her  wrap  on  his  arm.  INDIANA  same 
dress  as  Acts  II  and  III.  Wrapped  in  shawl 
of  Act  II. 

JENNINGS,    (softly)    Your  little  ladyship. 

IND.  (pathetically,  raising  her  head)  (wrapped 
in  shawl)  I  wasn't  asleep,  Jennings,  (shivers) 

JEN.    You  left  this  on  the  doorstep. 

IND.  Did  I?  Yes,  perhaps  I  did.  (rising.  Wraps 
her  cloak  about  her  shoulders,  piteously)  I — I've 
been  sitting  here  all  night  long. 

JEN.  (takes  shawl,  puts  it  up  stage  E.)  My  poor 
Bairn — it's  a  shame — a  shame — 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  83 

IXD.  Hush!  He's  in  there —  (JENNINGS  stand 
R.  of  c.) 

IND.  (rising)  I  shall  never  be  warm  again —  (a 
knock  at  door — startled)  Who's  that? 

JEN.  (at  door)  No  one  will  come  in,  your  lady 
ship,  I've  ordered  some  tea  and  a  bit  of  toast  for 
you —  (x'ing  to  door  L.  takes  the  tray  from  some 
one  outside  and  shuts  the  door,  places  tray  on  table) 

IND.  Tea  and  toast ! ! !  Tea  and  toast ! !  (INDIANA 
goes  to  arm  chair  R.  of  table  c.) 

JEN.    Two  pieces  of  sugar? 

IND.    Yes. 

JEN.  And  a  lot  of  cream?  (JENNINGS  business 
of  fixing  cup  of  tea) 

IND.  (eagerly)  Oh!  thank  you — thank  you,  Jen 
nings,  (takes  cup  from  his  hand)  (drinks  eagerly) 
Oh,  that's  good.  I  never  tasted  such  delicious  tea 
—  Is  it  a  new  kind? 

JEN.  (shakes  his  head)  Your  little  ladyship 
must  be  very  hungry —  (hands  her  toast  in  rack — 
INDIANA  refuses  it) 

IND.  (li'ith  a  look  of  intense  fear  towards  THURS- 
TON'S  room )  Oh  !  I'm  miserable — horribly  miser 
able — I've  never  been  miserable  before  in  my  life — 
when  I  hear  a  sound  in  there  my  heart  jumps  into 
my  mouth —  Jennings,  I  can  trust  you.  I  know  you 
won't  say  anything. 

JEN.     No,  your  little  ladyship. 

IND.  Now,  did  I  do  so  very  wrong,  did  I?  That 
I  should  be  treated  like  this?  (half  sobs) 

JEN.  It's  cruel !  Cruel !  Your  little  ladyship. 
(wipes  his  eyes)  Drink  the  tea — that'll  comfort 
you —  (L.  of  table) 

IND.  (sweetly)  Thank  you,  Jennings — how  good 
you  are  to  me.  Do  you  like  me,  Jennings,  and  do 
all  the  servants  like  me? 

JEN.    They'd  go  through  fire  and  water  for  your 


84  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

little  ladyship,  every  mother's  son  of  them — and  my 
lady —  I  haven't  seen  her  so  cheerful  since  she  lost 
Spitz — her  King  Charles  poodle,  (starting  to  go) 

IND.  (shudders)  Jennings,  stay  here.  Don't 
leave  me!  How  long  have  you  been  with  the  fam 
ily,  Jennings?. 

JEN.  (putting  out  light  an.d  arranging  table) 
sixty  years — your  little  ladyship.  My  father  was 
gamekeeper  —  for  his  Lordship's  grandfather  and 
when  I  was  five  years  old  I  was  taken  into  the 
house. 

IND.  Sixty  years — and  have  you  never  thought  of 
bettering  yourself,  Jennings? 

JEN.  (proudly)  Impossible  to  do  better.  My 
master  was  second  only  to  princes  in  title  and  in 
heart  second  to  none.  It's  a  great  satisfaction  to 
look  back  on  my  life  and  know  that  what  was  given 
to  me  to  do  has  been  done  faithfully. 

IND.  (leaning  over,  very  much  interested)  There 
are  no  old  servants  where  I  come  from.  Everybody 
wants  to  be  masters  and  mistresses,  (imitating  her 
father's  accent) 

JEN.  It's  a  great  privilege  to  serve  those  we 
respect. 

IND.     Is  it,  Jennings? 

JEN.  (warmly)  It's  more  than  pleasure — to 
serve  the  right  master,  it's  like  pupil  and  teacher — 
friend  and  friend. 

IND.  (in  chair  E.  of  table  c.,  who  had  for  a  mo 
ment  forgotten  herself  —  starts  —  presses  her  hand 
to  her  heart)  Jennings,  did  you  hear? —  Jennings! 
He's  coming —  (the  door  from  THURSTON'S  room  is 
unlocked.  INDIANA  sits  holt  upright —  almost  par 
alyzed  with  fear — JENNINGS  exits  quickly — saying) 

JEN.  It  will  come  out  all  right — it  will  come 
out  all  right —  (exit) 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  85 

(The  door  opens  and  THURSTON  enters — he  is  care 
fully  dressed  an,d  carries  himself  proudly  and 
relentlessly.  As  he  enters  INDIANA  gives  one 
swift  glance  at  his  face  and  then  turns  her 
eyes  away.  THUES.  x's  to  L.  of  table  as  if  going 
to  door  L.  and  then  turns  to  INDIANA) 

THURS.  I  have  weighed  existing  circumstances 
as  fairly  as  possible  and  have  concluded  that  our 
case  is  hopeless.  (INDIANA  raises  her  head — sits 
with  hands  clasped — looking  straight  before  her  and 
listening  intently)  The  dread  of  a  repetition  of  last 
night's  frenzy  degrading  to  me  as  a  man  to  you  as 
a  woman  and  between  husband  and  wife — horrible 
—  (turns  away  to  hide  his  agitation)  Have  you 
anything  to  say? 

IND.  (weakly)  Nothing,  except — I — would  like 
my  maid. 

THURS.  (kindly)  I  do  not  wish  your  maid  to 
see  you  like  this  -  -  you  must  help  yourself  this 
morning,  (turns  up  L.  c.  slightly) 

IND.  (with  an  instinctive  cry)  Thurston!  (he 
stops) 

THURS.  I  shall  breakfast  with  my  mother;  when 
you  are  quite  composed  and  ready  to  receive  her  she 
will  come  to  you — she  thinks  you  retired  early  last 
night  with  a  headache. 

IND.  Ah !  She  doesn't  know — I  am  glad  of  that 
— very  glad. 

THURS.  You  will  go  with  your  people — to-day  to 
Paris  on  a  pleasure  trip.  You  will  return  with 
them  to  America  on  a  pleasure  trip.  I  will  break 
it  to  my  mother — slowly — that  you  are  not  coming 
back —  (breaks  down.  Agitatedly)  If  you  had  loved 
me — it  might  have  been  different — but  how  could  I 
expect  it — you  have  never  been  taught  to  love — to  sac 
rifice  for  love  but  only  to  demand  sacrifices  from 


86  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

others  (INDIANA  shudders)  We  must  learn  to  love 
very  early  in  life — or  we  lose  forever  the  fine  signifi 
cance  of  that — which  makes  our  mature  life  perfect — 
(rings  the  bell.  INDIANA  rises  from  chair  and  x's 
slowly  to  door  L.  c.,  THUBSTON'S  eyes  following  her. 
She  exits  like  one  dazed  and  hopeless,  as  JENNINGS 
enters)  If  your  Mistress  should  wish  anything — 
keep  the  other  servants  out — I  can  rely  on  you, 
Jennings. 
JEN.  You  can,  sir.  (goes  up  c.) 

(Enter  LORD  STAFFORD  with  newspaper) 

STAF.  Thurston — breakfast  is  over — your  mother 
is  uneasy  ahout  your  absence —  (x's  to  fireplace) 

THURS.  (hopelessly)  I'll  come  at  once.  I'll  come 
—  (goes  out  with  his  head  down) 

JENNINGS,  (comes  down  R.  of  table  collecting 
dishes  on  tray  L.  exits.  LORD  S.  shalces  his  head 
dolefully — talcing  out  cigar  case,  carefully  selects 
a  cigar — knock  at  door — young  Flunkey  enters — 
stops  at  entrance) 

FLUNKEY.  The  tray,  please.  The  housekeeper 
says  I'm  to  wait  on  her  little  ladyship  in  future — 

JEN.  (going  close  to  him)  Oh !  you  are,  are  yer? 
— the  young  puppy  wants  to  sport  himself  in  the 
drawing-room.  Xow  you  go  and  tell  Madame  the 
Housekeeper  that  this  toothless  old  watch  dog  will 
never  wag  his  tail  by  the  kitchen  fire.  Xo — he'll 
follow  his  mistress  till  he  drops  down  at  her  feet — 
get  out —  (FLUNKEY  exits  quickly  —  JENNINGS 
takes  tray  jauntily  on  the  palm  of  his  hand) 

LORD  S.  (laughing  heartily)  Bravo!  Bravo! 
Don't  let  the  youngster  depose  you. 

JEN.  (at  entrance  with  a  look)  Not  if  I  know  it, 
my  lord,  (exits,  mumbling  at  FLUNKEY)  (LORD  S. 
lights  cigar — his  hand  trembles,  which  holds  the 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  87 

match,  and  he  has  some  difficulty  in  lighting  his 
cigar — it  goes  out) 

LORD  S.  (looking  at  his  shaking  hand  with  a 
gesture  of  annoyance,  throws  down  match} 

MRS.  BUNKER,  (outside)  All  right,  I'll  go  right 
up,  Jennings. 

LORD  S.  (with  half  grin)  Grandma — I  guess — 
(buries  himself  in  his  newspaper  as  GRANDMA 
CHAZY  BUNKER  enters  dressed  very  fashionably, 
followed  by  JENNINGS) 

JEN.  (anxiously)  Her  little  ladyship  left  word 
she  was  not  to  be  awakened,  Madame — 

MRS.  B.  (seeing  LORD  S.  behind  paper)  Oh,  very 
well  —  let  her  sleep  —  she  needs  it.  Hello  —  (to 
LORD  S.,  slightly  embarrassed  at  seeing  LORD  S.) 

LORD  S.    Howdy!    (exit  JENNINGS) 

MRS.  B.     Good  morning,  Lord  Stafford. 

LORD  S.  I  beg  your  pardon — good  morning,  Mrs. 
Bunker,  you  look  charming  this  morning. 

MRS.  B.    (L.  c.)    So  Indiana  is  sleeping  it  off. 

LORD  S.    I'm  sure  I  don't  know.    (R.  c.) 

MRS.  B.    Did  you  see  Thurston  this  morning? 

LORD  S.    Yes? 

MRS.  B.     He  told  you  about — 

LORD.  S.  Thurston  said  nothing — I  never  ask 
questions. 

MRS.  B.  Well,  you  English  are  the  closest- 
mouthed  persons.  Indiana  refused  to  come  home — 
until — Thurston  fetched  her — neither  would  give 
in.  Aren't  you  curious  to  know  how  it  ended? 

LORD  S.     I'm  burning  to  find  out. 

MRS.  B.  (contemptuously)  There's  nothing  burn 
ing  about  you — but  your  cigar — and — that's  gone 
out — 

LORD  S.  (goes  to  table  and  puts  down  cigar  on 
inkstand  tray)  So  it  is — thank  you — 


88  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

MES  B.  (x  to  B.  c.)  We  had  a  time  getting  her 
home.  Do  you  think  her  mother  and  father  had  any 
influence  with  her — not  a  bit — Grandma  Chazy  did 
it.  I  sent  the  poor,  deluded  parents  to  bed — and  I 
got  into  my  wrapper  and  fussed  about  my  room 
while  she  sat  by  herself  in  the  parlor  working  her 
self  up  into  a  rage  about  her  husband's  tyranny — 
and  every  cab  that  passed — rushing  to  the  window 
to  see  if  he  was  coming.  Well,  I  grew  tired  of  her 
rambling,  so  I  went  to  bed — she  put  her  head  into 
my  room — she  found  me  fast  asleep — apparently — 
no  gallery  to  play  to,  you  know — of  course  she 
stopped.  Grandma  Chazy,  where  shall  I  sleep?  On 
the  sofa,  dear,  throw  your  cloak  over  you.  I'd  offer 
you  half  of  mine — but  if  s  only  a  single  bed.  She 
slammed  the  door  in  a  rage.  Bo !  Ho !  Ho !  A  few 
minutes  later  I  peeked  in  and  she  was  gone —  (goes 
up  and  sits  B.  of  table) 

LOED  S.  (sit  L.  of  table)  If  I  ever  marry — it 
shan't  be  an  American,  thank  you. 

MBS.  B.  Oh  yes,  you  will,  because  you  say  you 
won't. 

LORD  S.  Oh  —  then  I  shan't  marry  at  all  — 
that's  the  safest  way.  (leaning  elbows  on  table  with 
fingers  interlaced) 

MES.  B.  The  most  dangerous — a  man  is  never 
safe  from  marriage — until  he  is  married,  (quickly 
reaches  over  with  left  hand  and  places  it  over  his 
hands') 

LOED  S.  (jumps  up  indignantly  then  laughs, 
MES.  B.  loolfs  at  him  then  she  laughs)  Mrs  Bunker 
— you  are  really  the  liveliest  woman  I  have  ever 
met  (x'ing  to  L.  end  of  sofa) 

MRS.  B.  (rising  and  following  L.  c.)  One  must 
keep  things  going  with  you  or — or  it  would  be 
dead  slow — 

LOED  S.    So  you  think  I'm  an  extinct  crater,  eh? 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  89 

MRS.  B.  I  never  said  so.  An  extinct  crater  is  a 
place  where  there  was  once  a  fire  burning,  (sits  on 
R.  end  of  sofa) 

LORD  S.  Oh !  I  say  don't  be  too  sharp — you  don't 
know  that — 

MRS.  B.  (calmly)  I'll  prove  it —  (LORD  S.  stag 
gered)  A  titled  man  with  a  good  income — and  good 
record — who  has  lived  all  these  years  unmarried — 
must  have  been  either  personally  unattractive  to 
women —  (LORD  S.,  offended,  rises)  or  beastly  self 
ish,  (rises) 

LORD  S.  (x's  to  c.  with  rheumatic  walk  and  then 
pulls  himself  together,  x'ing  R.  turns  to  MRS.  B.) 
(rather  baffled,  coming  down  close  to  her)  By 
George — I'll  prove  to  you  that  I  am  not  unattrac 
tive  to  woman,  (back  to  c.,  meets  MRS.  B.  holding 
out  his  hands)  (laughs)  Mrs.  Bunker — what  would 
the  world  say  if,  after  all  these  years  I  make  a  fool 
of  myself  and  ask  you  to  marry  me? 

MRS.  B.  Lord  Stafford,  as  old  as  you  are,  you 
have  not  yet  cut  your  wisdom  tooth,  or  you  would 
not  propose  to  me  in  that  way. 

LORD  S.    Suppose  I  cut  it  on  that  question? 

MRS.  B.  Oh,  don't!  The  pain  of  the  answer 
might  give  you  a  heartache. 

LORD  S.     Does  yours  ever  ache? 

MRS.  B.     What,  my  wisdom  tooth? 

LORD  S.  No!  (x'ing  to  fireplace)  The  only 
tooth  that  aches  a  woman  is  the  tooth  of  time  (turns 
quickly  as  if  to  apologize  for  having  forgotten  him 
self)  " 

MRS.  S.    (c.)    Oh !    Oh !   I  call  a  halt— 

LORD  S.  (following  up  his  advantage  and  com 
ing  back  to  her)  And  if  I  prove  to  you  that  I  have 
enough  fire  left  to  divide  between  myself  and  an 
other — what  then? 


90  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

MBS.  B.  (innocently)  Ah!  but  that  would  take 
time — and  we  leave  for  Paris  to-day. 

LOED.  S.  (contemplatively,  R.  of  c.)  Oh! — well 
perhaps  I'll  run  over  with  you — I  know  my  Paris 
— as  well  as  most  Englishmen. 

MRS.  B.  (L.  of  c.)  You  haven't  asked  if  your 
company  would  be  agreeable. 

LORD.  S.    No — that's  so.     I  took  it  for  granted. 

MRS.  B.  Never  take  anything  for  granted  with 
a  woman. 

LORD.  S.    Does  that  mean  I'm  to  go  or  not? 

MRS.  B.  Prove  you  know  your  United  States, 
guess!  (x  to  K.  c.,  turns  and  meets  THURSTON  who 
enters,  followed  by  MR.  and  MRS.  STILLWATER  who 
go.  MR.  S.  up  L.  c.,  MRS.  S.  down  L.)  Thurston, 
I'm  dying  to  see  Indiana.  (LORD  S.  bows  to  MR.  and 
MRS.  S.  and  goes  to  fireplace) 

THURS.  (to  c.  seriously)  One  moment,  my  dear 
Mrs.  Bunker —  I  have  plans  for  the  future,  which 
is  well  for  you  to  know.  (MR.  and  MRS.  S.  dis- 
turbed) 

MRS.  B.  (R.  c.)  Don't  make  any  plans — and 
don't  look  so  serious — you've  made  up  your  mind 
to  something,  I  can  see  that — but  she'll  upset  it  all 
— you  don't  know  Indiana. 

THURS.  No — and  I  never  shall —  Mr.  Still- 
water — your  daughter  is  very  anxious  to  go  with  you 
to  Paris — and  I  have  consented — 

MRS.  S.  (in  front  of  sofa)  How  good  of  you  to 
let  her.  It  is  the  only  thing  to  complete  my  hap 
piness. 

MRS.  B.  I  don't  approve  of  it.  (goes  up  to  seat 
at  fireplace  and  sits) 

THURS.  I  am  about  making  arrangements  for  a 
prolonged  trip — for  scientific  purposes — which  will 
keep  me  out  of  England — and  I  think  it  well  for 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  91 

your  daughter  to  go  home  with  you  until— my  mis 
sion  is  over. 

MES.  S.  (at  B.  end  and  above  sofa  L.)  Nothing 
would  suit  us  better — but — my  dear  fellow — is  it 
good  for  a  young  married  couple  to  separate  so  soon  ? 

THUES.     Xo,  it  is  not  good. 

MR.  S.    Must  you  go? 

THUES.  (raising  his  eyes  and  looking  ME.  S.  full 
in  the  face)  I  must. 

ME.  S.  Well,  I,  for  one,  don't  like  it.  (puzzled) 
How  long  do  you  expect  to  be  away? 

THUES.    For  several  months — perhaps — forever — 

(All  start  apprehensively.  MES.  B.  rises  as  if  to 
speak.  The  door  of  INDIANA'S  room  B.  1  E.  is 
thrown  open  and  she  appears.  She  is  dressed 
in  a  light  house  gown  —  her  appearance  fresh 
and  her  face  beaming  with  smiles — a  direct  con 
trast  to  her  former  appearance — she  looks  as 
she  had  not  a  care  in  the  world.) 

IND.  (in  light,  sweet,  caressing  tones)  Good  morn 
ing,  everybody,  (all  appear  relieved  and  smile  in 
return,  except  THUES.,  who,  rooted  to  the  ground 
c.,  stands  staring  at  her  aghast.  She  comes  with 
outstretched  hands  to  LOED  S.)  Dear  Uncle  Gerald, 
you  want  to  kiss  me  good  morning,  don't  you.  Well, 
you  shall,  (puts  up  her  mouth  to  be  kissed — then, 
flitting  airily  to  ME.  S.  she  puts  her  arms  about  his 
neck  and  nestles  up  to  him)  You  dear  old  pop,  I 
love  you  so.  (rubs  her  face  against  his)  I  was 
naughty  last  night,  wasn't  I.  Don't  tell  anybody. 
You  forgive  me,  don't  you?  There —  (kisses  him 
a  number  of  times  and  floats  out  of  his  arms — to 
her  mother  down  L.  ME.  S.  goes  up  L.  c.)  You  old 
goosie,  you  were  afraid  I  wouldn't  go  home.  Why 
didn't  you  take  me  by  the  shoulders  and  push  me 
out? —  But  you  couldn't  be  harsh  with  your  little 


92  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

Indy,  your  baby  —  your  only  one.  I  love  you  so. 
(MRS.  S.  in  an  ecstasy  of  joy  is  murmuring  all  sorts 
of  caressing  words  over  INDIANA — as  if  she  were  a 
child.  INDIANA  comes  to  MRS.  B.  and  stands  look 
ing  at  her — half  undecided  how  to  approach  her) 

MRS.  B.  (her  face  relaxes  into  a  smile  and  she 
shaJces  her  finger  warningly  at  INDIANA)  You  little 
monkey. 

IND.  (makes  a  good-natured  grimace  at  her  and 
x's  to  THURSTON  and  giving  him  a  swift  look  puts 
up  her  cheek  demurely)  Good  morning,  Thurston. 
(THURSTON  hesitates,  then  kisses  her) 

IND.  (quickly,  sweetly)  Ah,  here's  dear  Lady 
Canning,  (enter  LADY  C.  MR.  and  MRS.  S.  recog 
nize  her  as  she  enters.  THURS.  goes  up  R.  c.,  takes 
book  from  table  and  stands  looking  into  it) 

LADY  C.  (graciously)  Good  morning,  (takes  IN 
DIANA'S  outstretched  hand,  who  comes  to  her  L.  c.) 
I'm  so  worried  about  this  child — I  wanted  to  come 
in  and  see  you  last  night,  dear,  but  Thurston 
wouldn't  let  me.  I  wanted  to  come  in  early  this 
morning  and  Jennings  wouldn't  let  me.  Are  you 
sure  you  feel  quite  well  again  ? 

IND.  (brightly,  sits  in  c.  of  sofa,  LADY  C.  on  L. 
of  her,  MRS.  S.  R.  of  her  and  MR.  S.  stands  back  of 
sofa)  Splendidly.  It  was  a  bad  spell  while  it  lasted, 
but  it's  all  over  now  I  feel  so  much  better.  I  won't 
have  another  attack  for  a  long  time,  I  hope,  never — 
a  bad  spell  is  good  for  something — it  makes  me  real 
ize  how  much  everybody  loves  me  and  how  much  I 
love  everybody — and  I  do  love  you  and  you  (kisses 
MRS.  S.)  and  you  dear  Lady  Canning,  (kisses  LADY 
C.) 

LADY  C.    (overcome)    My  darling! 

MRS.  S.  Darling,  your  husband  says  you  are  com 
ing  to  Paris  with  us. 

IND.  (to  LADY  C.)  I  want  you  to  scold  Thurston. 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  93 

He's  too  good.  He's  given  in  to  them  because  they 
are  dying  for  me  to  go,  but  I  won't !  I  won't.  I 
won't  leave  him — dear  Lady  Canning. 

MRS.  S.     Oh!    Indy! 

MR.  S.  We  can  afford  to  compromise.  You  are 
coming  home  with  us  while  he  is  on  his  trip. 

IND.    (quickly)    What  trip? 

LADY  C.  (severely)  Thurston —  (puts  her  arms 
about  INDIANA)  He  has  an  insane  desire  to  go  to 
the  North  Pole.  But  I  thought  marriage  would  cure 
him  of  it.  Indiana,  put  down  your  foot — down 
once  and  for  all,  and  refuse  your  consent. 

IND.  (sweetly)  I  put  down  my  foot — oh,  dear, 
no!  He's  the  master.  (MRS.  S.  and  MRS.  B.  nearly 
topple  over  with  astonishment) 

MRS.  B.  I  can't  stand  this.  Are  you  going  to 
Paris  with  us  or  not? 

IND.  (offended,  rises  and  x's  to  c.)  Grandma 
Chazy,  I'm  a  married  woman.  I  can't  be  running 
about  like  a  young  girl.  (LADY  C.  puts  her  arm 
about  INDIANA) 

MRS.  B.    Are  you  going  or  are  you  not! 

THURS.    Yes,  it's  best. 

MRS.  S.  That  settles  it.  (x'ing  to  door)  Good 
morning,  Lady  Canning,  (exit  L.  1  E.) 

MR.  S.  We'll  just  run  around  to  the  hotel  and 
get  our  things  and  call  for  you  on  our  way  to  the 
station.  Good  morning,  Lady  Canning,  (exit  L.  1  E) 

MRS.  B.  (x'ing  to  sofa.  THURSTON  comes  down — 
following  her  every  move  with  his  eyes)  Good  morn 
ing,  Lady  Canning — I  wish  I  had  your  complexion, 
yes  I  do.  (x's  to  door  L.  1  E.  LORD  S.  has  followed 
her  to  the  door,  back  of  sofa)  Good  morning,  Lord 
Stafford. 

LORD  S.  (under  his  mustache)  May  I  go  over 
to  Paris  with  you? 

MRS.  B.    It's  up  to  you.    (exit  L.  1  E.) 


94  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

LORD  S.   I  go —  (exit  L.  1  E.) 

IND.  Oh!  (LORD  S.  follows  GRANDMA  C.  out, 
leaving  LADY  C.,  THURS.  up  H.,  INDIANA  watching 
them — her  face  very  serious) 

LADY  C.  Thurston,  is  anything  wrong  between 
you  and  Indiana? 

THURS.  Nothing,  mother.  (INDIANA  up,  listen 
ing  with  every  nerve) 

LADY  C.  How  could  you  think  of  doing  such  a 
cruel  thing,  (x'ing  to  INDIANA) 

THURS.  (above  table  c.)  I  mean  to  do  it, 
mother. 

LADY  C.  Thurston,  you  are  developing  a  very  bad 
temper.  You — you  have  never  before  acted  in  such 
an  inconsistent — inconsiderate  manner — and  with 
such  a  sweet  wife — you  don't  deserve  her.  It  really 
doesn't  do  for  a  woman  to  love  her  husband  too 
much — Indiana  has  spoiled  you. 

IND.     (R.  c.,  pleadingly)     Don't  scold  him. 

LADY  C.  I  do  not  wish  to  see  you  again  until 
you  tell  me  that  you  have  abandoned  this  foolhardy, 
heartless  idea  —  for  good  and  all.  (goes  up  with 
INDIANA  toward  door  R.  3  E.)  My  darling,  for 
give  him  for  my  sake. 

IND.  (angelically)  I  will,  dear  Lady  Canning. 
I — It's  very  weak  I  know,  but  I  couldn't  be  harsh 
with  him  no  matter  what  he  did.  (THURSTON 
aghast — in  a  whisper)  Leave  him  to  me — it  will  be 
all  right,  (exit  LADY  C.,  R.  2  E.  INDIANA  comes 
down  back  of  sofa  R.) 

THURS.  You  have  played  your  part  well —  (IN 
DIANA  raises  her  eyes  supplicatingly,  then  drops 
them  again) 

IND.     I  wasn't  acting — I — 

THURS.  (in  horror)  And  you  can  be  so  light 
hearted — 

IND.    No!  No!   I  was  acting.    I  mean  I  felt  the 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  95 

part — I  do  love  everybody  and  I  want  to  be  good 
again  and  make  up —  (c.) 

THUES.  Cease  —  playing  the  spoilt  child.  (IN 
DIANA  watches  him  sharply — he  turns  quickly — she 
drops  her  eyes  demurely — lips  quivering  like  a  child) 

IND.  (seriously)  Now  it's  wrong  of  you  to  be  so 
hard  with  me.  I  was  good,  wasn't  I? — for  three 
months  and  then  when  the  folks  rushed  down  on 
me  like  a  river  breaking  the  dam,  and  I  saw  the 
difference — in  them — in  myself — and  I  broke  out — 
that's  all.  Thurston,  if  you  go  away — will  you  let 
me  stay  with  your  mother?  (at  table  c.) 

THUES.  (up  E.  c.)  As  long  as  all  the  love  is  on  my 
side — my  wishes  will  always  be  commands  to  you — 
There  should  be  no  questions  between  a  man  and 
wife  who  love  each  other.  It  could  not  have  ended 
otherwise.  I  shall  make  arrangements  for  your  de 
parture. 

IND.  But  can't  I  say  good-bye  to  Mother,  I  mean 
Lady  Canning? 

LOED  C.  (above  sofa  E.  c.)  Better  go  before  she 
returns.  (!ND.  x's  to  door  E.  1  E.) 

IND.  (turns  at  door)  I  am  going  to  Paris  with  my 
people — against  my  will — and — because  you  insist 
upon  it — and — because  I  accept  it  as  your  wish — 
that  I  shall  not  return. 

THUES.  (up  E.  c.)  Not  as  my  wish — but  as  an 
inevitable  result.  I  trusted  to  my  strength  to  win 
your  love  and  I  have  failed.  It  is  not  your  fault — 
it  is  your  youth  that  is  to  blame. 

IND.  I  am  not  younger  now  than  when  I  mar 
ried  you — and  then  you  loved  my  youth,  my  wilful- 
ness,  my  faults.  I  do  not  think  it  is  honorable  on 
your  part  to  throw  me  over  now — because  of  those 
old  faults — and  I  have  not  developed  any  new  ones 
so  far.  (THUES.  smile  involuntarily)  (x's  to  seat 
near  him)  Thurston —  (stretching  out  her  hands) 


96  HER  LORD  AND  MASTER 

Won't  you  shake  hands  with  me,  Good-bye  — 
(THUKS.  extends  his  hand  with  his  eyes  averted, 
INDIANA  grasps  it  quickly  and  with  a  sigh  of  relief 
holds  it  fast)  ( THUKS.  tries  to  get  IXD.  away) 

IND.  (desperately}  You  shall  listen  to  me.  I 
won't  let  you  go  until  you've  heard  it.  All  my  life 
I  have  queened  it  over  people — delighting  to  feel 
my  power — to  make  the  poor  things  who  loved  me 
bend  to  my  will.  Last  night  I  saw  the  loathing  in 
your  face,  when  you  turned  from  me  and  (  THUKS. 
breaks  away  and  down  c.  IXD.  goes  to  him)  Thurs- 
ton,  how  could  you  have  expected  me  to  be  so  differ 
ent.  It  wouldn't  be  natural  if  I  was.  I  wanted  to 
queen  it  over  my  husband,  to  be  put  on  a  pedestal 
and  worshipped.  I  thought  it  enough  if  I  let  him 
love  me — I  never  thought  it  was  better  to  love  than 
to  be  loved,  to  serve  than  to  be  served.  Thurston, 
take  my  two  hands — hold  them  fast — I — I — love 
you.  (directly  in  front  of  him) 

THUKS.  Indiana,  for  God's  sake,  don't  play  with 
me  again. 

IND.  I  love  you.  (she  draws  his  head  down  and 
kisses  him)  (they  embrace) 

WAEN  CURTAIN 

THUKS.  Darling,  I  kept  my  promise,  I  did  not 
give  in. 

IND.  Yes,  but  I  didn't  think  you'd  keep  it  so 
hard. 

JEN.    The  cab  is  waiting. 

IND.  (looks  at  THUKS.,  then  goes  up  to  window 
c.,  opens  it  and  looks  out) 

THUKS.  (x's  to  R.  c.)  Tell  Mr.  Stillwater  that 
Lady  Canning  has  taken  a  woman's  privilege.  You 
understand  ? 


HER  LORD  AND  MASTER  97 

JEN.  (with  a  broad  grin)  Yes,  sir\  I  under 
stand.  Her  ladyship's  changed  her  mind,  (exits  in 
great  delight) 

IND.  (at  window  with  THUES.)  There  they  all 
are,  I'm  not  going.  We've  made  it  up.  Good-bye. 
God  bless  you — God  bless  you  all.  (turns  to  THUES.) 
Thurston,  I'll  never  break  out  again —  (come  down 
to  him) 

THUES.  Yes  you  will,  but  I  shall  have  love  to 
help  me. 

(Enter  JEN.  followed  ~by  GLEN — GLEN  sees  the  em 
brace  and  exits  L.  1  E.  quickly) 

JEN.  Mr.  Stillwater  says  there's  just  time  to  catch 
the  train —  (!XD.  goes  to  window) 

IND.  I'm  not  going — God  bless  you — good-bye — > 
Oh,  they're  coining  up —  (to  THUES.)  What  will 
you  say?  What  will  you  say?  (enter  family  L.  1  B. 
ME.  S.  and  MES.  B.  above  sofa.  MES.  B.  down  L. 
LOED  S.  enters  R.  2  E.,  goes  to  MES.  B.  c.  LADY  0. 
enters  E.  1  E.  to  E.  c.)  We've  made  it  up  (L.  of 
THUES.  who  has  his  arm  around  her) 

ME.  S.   My  boy,  how  did  you  manage  it? 

Tnurs.  (with  a  look  at  IND.,  who  awaits  breath 
lessly  his  answer)  Oh !  I  gave  in — 

FAMILY.     That's  right,  my  boy,  etc. 

CONGRATULATIONS— PICTUEE 
CURTAIN 


DATE  DUE 


SHELF    BINDER 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Stockton,  Calif. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CA..  RIVERSIDE  LIBRARY 


SITY  OF  CA..  RIVERSi: 

II   iliili 


3  1210007563024 


